Mata

[Angryred]

"Such is Chelsea’s desire to sign Mata, who was the star of this summer’s Under 21 European Championship, that Abramovich is considering flying to meet Valencia president Manuel Llorente to push through the deal."

I love it when they say something like this. As if his appearance is going to make any ****ing difference and why wouldn't he attend a meeting where he was going to spend £20m+ of his money. Love how the papers make out like they are demi-gods that would not normally lower themselves to attending a meeting.

That sounds like Roman is reverting to mafia tactics to ensure the transfer goes through...

[Slinky Skills]

"Such is Chelsea’s desire to sign Mata, who was the star of this summer’s Under 21 European Championship, that Abramovich is considering flying to meet Valencia president Manuel Llorente to push through the deal."

I love it when they say something like this. As if his appearance is going to make any ****ing difference and why wouldn't he attend a meeting where he was going to spend £20m+ of his money. Love how the papers make out like they are demi-gods that would not normally lower themselves to attending a meeting.

It's terrible Journalism really.

Everytime Chelsea go to sign a big player they always write drivel like this. "Abramavioch is that desperate to get his man he has offered to meet x on his yacht".

Who cares FFS!!

[Mostar]

That sounds like Roman is reverting to mafia tactics to ensure the transfer goes through...

If the story is true he'll be Chavs player by the end of this transfer window.

[RedSince1964]

If the story is true he'll be Chavs player by the end of this transfer window.

[Liverpel]

If the story is true he'll be Chavs player by the end of this transfer window.

Expect City to step in any day now.

[RedSince1964]

Expect City to step in any day now.

Don't they always

[Mostar]

Expect City to step in any day now.

You're probably right.

If they cannot get Nasri he may be the next.

[Buzzo]

This thread can probably soon move to the General Footy thread as opposed to the LFC one?

Bye bye Mata.

It was fun whilst it lasted.

[RedSince1964]

This thread can probably soon move to the General Footy thread as opposed to the LFC one?

Bye bye Mata.

It was fun whilst it lasted.

It would of been a whole lot of fun IF we had signed him but, King Kenny knows best

[Buzzo]

Juan Mata on verge on €27m move to Chelsea from Valencia

Sid Lowe in Madrid
guardian.co.uk, Friday 19 August 2011 23.05 BST

Juan Mata is on the verge of joining Chelsea from Valencia for a fee of €27m (£23.5m). Mata spoke to André Villas-Boas during the day and the Chelsea manager explained the role he has in mind for the attacking midfielder. Lawyers are finalising details on the deal, which is expected to be definitively closed on Saturday. The Chelsea manager had admitted this week: "We might just add a number in midfield."

The 23-year-old, who has studied at university and speaks reasonable English, has long been open to a move to the Premier League. His father and agent, also Juan Manuel Mata, had spoken to a number of clubs in England. Mata's initial preference was to secure a move to Barcelona but he was in no hurry to depart Valencia. The signings of Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fábregas by Barcelona finally ended any possibility of a transfer to the Camp Nou.

Mata had already turned down the opportunity to join Tottenham Hotspur at the end of July. Tottenham sought to take advantage of a clause in Mata's contract that allowed him to leave the club before 31 July for a set fee of €25m: had Valencia unilaterally blocked a move at that stage, they would have been forced to increase Mata's salary. The player, though, did not want to move to Spurs.

Liverpool had previously shown an interest in the player but opted in the end to buy Stewart Downing from Aston Villa, with Kenny Dalglish putting a premium on players with Premier League experience. Despite showing an interest and although Mata's camp was open to the idea of a move to the Emirates, Arsenal failed to make a formal bid during that window of opportunity in July. Now Chelsea have done so.

Valencia were not keen to sell one of their key players and believe that, although their financial situation remains difficult, they were not obliged to sell.

They had also hoped to avoid a situation in which they lost the midfielder close to the start of the season but replacements had already been signed in the shape of Sergio Canales and Pablo Piatti and they had set a figure of €30m at which they could be persuaded, given that the July release clause would come into effect again next season.

Mata's desire to accept the offer to move to west London finally helped to bring the two clubs to an agreement which is being finalised.

Link

[Shaggy]

Mata and Torres could be an interesting link up.

[RichC]

could link up very well I fear!

[Exiled_red]

[Slinky Skills]

Disappointing news but hardly surprising.

All these top top players want to move to teams that are in the CL which is understandable.

Perhaps we weren't even in for him who knows.

Shame really.

[Fredo]

I don't think he'll be as good as Stewart Downing.