Juan Mata could be set for summer exit to pave way for Mesut Ozil

According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, who according to Transfermkt is rated at €30m (approximately £26.7m), is a summer target for Serie A giants Inter Milan.

Well, the British tabloid says that the Nerazzurri’s are monitoring his situations at the Old Trafford as his contract is due to run out at the end of the season, with the Red Devils having the option of extending the deal by a further 12 months.

The Mirror says that the attacking midfielder will want to be sure he will continue to be a key part of the club first-team at Old Trafford before committing his future to the club though, and that could be in doubt due to Manchester United’s interest in Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil. The German, according to free football bets have been installed as favourites to join the Europa League holders in the summer.

If Mata is shown the exit door in the summer, the report adds that Inter Milan are ready to bring Mata to Italy.

Despite previous concerns over his relationship with Jose Mourinho after he was sold under the Portuguese boss during their time at Chelsea, the Spaniard has been something of a regular fixture in Man United side since the start of the previous season.

This season, the 29-year-old has netted three goals and provided a further four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions, although Mata has often played out on the right flank rather than in his preferred No. 10 position.

While the Spaniard is undoubtedly an experienced and reliable player, Mata will be 30 in April and the club may look to move him on during the summer in order to make way for new signings.

Mourinho will be looking for players that can make more of an impact for his squad in the final third than the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the Spain international have this season, and it could see the former Chelsea midfielder make his Old Trafford exit.

If Juan Mata wants to carry on playing in the Premier League and feels he will continue to be a regular for United then there is no reason for him to go, but if his relationship with Mourinho is more strained behind the scenes and he fancies a new challenge, then he may choose to go to Italy in a league that would probably be more suited to his style of play.