The 2013 transfer window officially closes on September 2 and while multiple teams across the vast landscape of professional soccer continue to explore ways of improving their rosters, certain teams are preparing to move on without any further upgrades. Among the clubs looking to elevate their rosters, Manchester United and Arsenal are perhaps the two teams fully expected to make multiple premier moves. Struggling to capture additional support since the window opened in July, both the Red Devils and Gunners hope to build up with only five days remaining in the signing window.
According to multiple reports, Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger - who were handed a substantial amount of spending money for the current transfer season - are looking into the possibility of bringing in Chelsea's Juan Mata. One of the premier players at the midfield position, the 25-year-old native of Spain would certainly help the Gunners improve upon last year's fourth place finish in the Premier League. With Man U and Tottenham also expected to research the player, Arsenal could prove to be the top suitor for the player come the close of the transfer window.
"I watched the Chelsea game last night that Juan Mata could be on the market. I don't know, there is a reluctance in England to sell to each other," Wenger said to Daily Mail recently regarding his reported pursuit of Mata. "Does that frustrate me? Yes, I like him. Everybody knows we are in the market. The whole world knows that now. I cannot be more creative than that, because all has been said and nothing has been concluded."
Mata has experienced a lack of playing time early on during the 2013-2014 season, something head coach Jose Mourinho attributes to a small amount of preseason minutes. Despite the fact that many believe Mata could desire a move away from the Blues, Mourinho is strong when indicating that Juan Mata will not leave Chelsea.
"There is no chance Juan goes," the 50-year-old told Sky Sports. "He had a very small preseason after the Confederations Cup. And during that preseason he was injured. He started training two days before we played the first league match. He played against Aston Villa and I decided to put him on the bench against United."
Still battling a knee complication, Mata's absence truly can be attributed to a lack of repetition more so than injury and as the transfer window continues to creep closer, Mourinho and company may think long and hard about selling the 25-year-old since he can still play at a high level. Mata also carries with him a price tag of over £30 million so if the Blues find the right suitor, the Spanish superstar could find himself wearing a new jersey.
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