Valencia winger Juan Mata close to completing Chelsea move
La Liga side Valencia confirmed on their official website that they had agreed on a deal with English Premier League giants http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 international, and are now just waiting
on the medical test and other minor details to finalize the deal.
While the Spain outfit have not yet disclosed the fee, it is believed to be in the region of £23.5million. Mata, who was initially linked with a move to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429, has ended up at Stamford Bridge after the Gunners backed out of talks when their first bid was
rejected. He is now set to join the Blues, as soon as the official announcement regarding the transfer is made.
Valencia announced on their official website:
“Valencia has reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea FC for the transfer of the player Juan http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-c23383 Mata. The agreement is subject to the relevant medical tests.”
After a somewhat unexpectedly disappointing start to the season, Chelsea were in desperate need for reinforcements. In addition to bringing in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oriol-c28659 Romeu, Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was on the look-out for a creative
player. Mata was the perfect fit, the left-winger who happens to be the right age to bring down the average age of the ageing squad.
The young Portuguese manager is known to be an admirer of the Spain international, he admitted to wanting to bring Mata to Stamford Bridge before the deal went through. Villas-Boas said he would like to have a player like Mata, who would surely add more
width and creativity to a Chelsea side, which was clearly lacking in that department.
Villas-Boas said in an interview:
“He's a player who scores and assists and he can add to any squad in the world. He's not our player but he's an interesting player... a very good player.”
Mata joined Valencia from Real Madrid B in the summer of 2007 and went on to cement his place in the starting XI in the first season. He made 33 appearances in the 2007-2008 season, scoring 9 goals and providing two assists. His goal tally and number of
assists have increased in the following seasons and in total he has made 174 appearances, with 46 goals and 45 assists for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 in all competitions.
The Blues have also confirmed the news that Mata is close to joining the London side, following a successful medical. They are expected to officially unveil the player in the upcoming days, with hopes that he will be available to make his debut for the Blues
in their next fixture. Chelsea host Norwich City at Stamford Bridge this Saturday.
The Blues confirmed:
“An agreement has been reached with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Juan-Manuel-Mata-c19775. The move is now subject to the player passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.”
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