Three transfer options emerge for Mata after emotional Man Utd farewell

Three clubs are reportedly interested in signing Juan Mata this summer.

The Spanish playmaker, 34, is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to leave Manchester United after making just 28 appearances in all competitions since the beginning of the 2020-21 campaign. Monday's 3-0 win against Brentford at Old Trafford was Mata's first Premier League start for the Red Devils this term.

Mata joined United from Chelsea in January 2014 and has since played 283 games for the club. His career honours include the World Cup, Euros, Champions League, EFL Cup, Copa del Rey, Community Shield, two Europa Leagues and two FA Cups.

The 41-cap international left Valencia for Chelsea in August 2011 and, according to Sport, he could return to the Mestalla this summer. It's believed the Spanish giants - as well as Real Betis and Real Sociedad - want to sign the veteran.

Valencia are reportedly hopeful of getting a deal over the line due to their association with Mata, who made 174 appearances for the club during a four-year spell. Yet Copa del Rey winners Betis and sixth-place Sociedad are both set to compete in Europe next term.

Valencia's hopes of playing in Europe were dashed after losing to Betis in the Copa del Rey final last month. They're 10th in La Liga, 13 points behind Sociedad in the final European position - a Europa Conference League spot - with just four games remaining.

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"There is an an exciting future ahead, with a new era, with a new manager [Erik ten Hag]," Mata said last month, hinting at his expected exit. "Hopefully it is going to be a big change in terms of results and fans will be happy."

Mata isn't believed to have struggled with his fitness this term. Despite his lack of minutes, he's been involved in the matchday squad for all but nine of United's Premier League games in 2021-22. Remarkably, his first league outing was the 1-0 defeat to Everton in April.

Speaking ahead of that game, Mata said: "I haven't been playing as much as I would like this season and I really miss it. I'm enjoying training with my team-mates and I really want to show that I can enjoy playing and giving what I can give to the team.

"I miss it and I still have a lot of passion and a lot of will to keep enjoying football. This is a dream come true to be a professional football player so I want to play as much as I can and I feel good, to be honest: mentally, physically, I am of course ready to perform, so hopefully soon."

Mata has unexpectantly signed a contract extension at Old Trafford before, putting pen to paper on a one-year deal last July. "After so many years, I feel at home here and privileged to represent this club," he said at the time.

When asked about Mata's future after the recent win against Brentford, United interim manager Ralf Rangnick - who called the player a "magician" - said: "I don't know [if he's leaving]. He hasn't confirmed that but it is possible."