Internazionale are the latest club to be linked with a move for Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata, according to reports in Italy.
Italian outlet Tuttosport are claiming that the Italian giants could make a move for the Spaniard if they are unsuccessful in their attempt to sign Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras.
Inter face competition from both Real Madrid and Barcelona for Jesus. The 19-year-old is having an excellent season in the Brazilian Série A with the league leaders.
Should either of the Spanish giants be successful in preventing Inter from landing Jesus, then the report in Italy is that they will turn their attention to Juan Mata.
The 28-year-old’s future at Old Trafford has come into question following the arrival of José Mourinho – the same manager whom sold him to United when he was in charge of Chelsea. The signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan doesn’t help things but both players do have the ability to work together and the Armenian himself does work hard off the ball.
Tuttosport claim that Inter are willing to take Mata on loan for the 2016-17 season with an opportunity to purchase the player during or at the end of the season.
Manchester United paid £37.1 million for the Spaniard (who pockets around £150k-per-week wages) back in January 2014 so if they are going to allow him to leave this summer, one would think they would prefer to sell rather than loan him out.
One problem Mourinho currently has is a lack of options on the right wing, the position which Louis van Gaal moved Mata out for the majority of last season. So unless that position is adequately filled then it is not impossible that he could stay for a little while longer.
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