Juan Mata linked with a move for FC Barcelona

The Manchester United midfielder is linked with a shock move to FC Barcelona.

Manchester United have been quite busy in the summer transfer window. The club has already completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Fred, and Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot. They are also heavily linked with a move for Toby Alderweired from Tottenham Hotspur.

With so many in-bound transfers, the club is also set to have some departures. Matteo Darmian is reportedly in talks with Juventus for a potential transfer. Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini is yet to sign a new contract with the club, with the current one expiring in seven days. Anthony Martial’s agent also spoke about the player’s unease at not being a first team player ever since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez in January.

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However, one player who was expected to stay at the club was Spain’s Juan Mata. However, Dean Jones, the transfer expert from Bleacher Report, claims that Barcelona have approached Mata for a potential transfer. According to him, there has been ‘some progress’ regarding the move.

Hearing that some progress is being made in a potential deal for Juan Mata to join Barcelona this summer

— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) June 23, 2018

Juan Mata joined Manchester United in 2014 from Chelsea. While Mata is not a guaranteed starter under Jose Mourinho, the player still gives valuable contributions whenever he comes on for the club. He is also a fan favourite at the club.

The transfer news seemed to have surprise many, as Barcelona already possesses a dearth of talent in Coutinho, Dembele, Rakitic, and ofcourse Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Barcelona were expected to go for Anthony Martial, because of his agent’s obvious rebellion.