REAL SOCIEDAD is hoping to persuade Manchester United to release Juan Mata as a free agent in January.
The 33-year-old is in the last six months of his Old Trafford contract and knows he will not be offered a new deal by United.
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He hasn’t been a first team regular for the past two years and hasn’t managed a minute of Premier League football this season.
Now ambitious Sociedad are eager to bring the former Chelsea midfielder back to La Liga to finish his career after ten years in England.
The Basque side are currently ranked sixth in La Liga and are looking to advance to qualify for the Champions League.
And coach Emanol Alguacil believes Mata’s big experience in the run-in could be crucial.
Interim United boss Ralph Rangnick is unlikely to stand in the way of the player’s departure.
But if the mother foregoes the last six months of her combined pay, the move will involve a substantial pay cut to the mother.
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Sociedad may have to contend with Barcelona for the signing of the World Cup winner.
The Spanish giants are struggling financially so will be unable to afford their salaries and transfer fees, especially after somehow finding £55million for Man City’s Ferran Torres.
As a result, they will also require United to cancel Spain’s international contract next month.
Barca have been a longtime fan and even tried to sign him in 2014 before moving to Manchester.
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