Arsenal target Juan Mata’s family and representatives are in London to discuss the midfielder’s £15m move from Valencia, says this morning’s Daily Mirror.
They say the move could open the door for fellow Spain international Cesc Fabregas to be finally be sold to Barcelona. Fabregas will not be involved in this weekend’s Emirates Cup, a “clear sign” that the Gunners are becoming resigned to losing him, says the paper. Mata, 23, can play wide or as an attacking midfielder.
The Telegraph claim progress has been made on Mata, who would they say would cost an initial £13 million, rising to £17.5 million. Mata’s potential arrival is likely to pave the way for Samir Nasri to move into the Fabregas role behind a main central striker.
Meanwhile, other reports today suggest Arsenal are to be offered Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema for £25m as the Spanish club prepare a move for Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez. And another one doing the rounds is that AW is to approach Lille for their 20-year-old Belgian attacking midfielder Eden Hazard.
Elsewhere today, Blackburn’s Chris Samba has hinted he is keen to move to the Arsenal. The 27-year-old signed a new contract at Ewood Park back February but has been linked with a move throughout the summer.
He is quoted on The Sun’s website: “A player who has no ambition to play at a higher level has made a mistake and chosen the wrong sport. I don’t know what is happening with Arsenal because I am not dealing with it and it’s not my problem.
“At the minute I am still at Blackburn but it would be a big lie if I told you ‘everything is good and I don’t want to play in the Champions League’. I don’t know what the board and the manager at Blackburn are planning or what provisions they have made for signing new players.
“It is difficult for me at the moment because I’m just waiting to see what happens and concentrating on my preparation for the new season.”
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