Valencia weigh up €38m Mata bid

goal.com

The playmaker is set to be the subject of a bid from his former club in January, while Martin Demichelis will discuss terms over a new Manchester City contract.

VALENCIA WEIGH UP €38M MATA BID

Valencia are lining up a €38 million January move for Juan Mata - but must wait for Peter Lim to complete his takeover of the Spanish side before pursuing a deal for the Manchester United playmaker.

Lim, a Singapore-based businessman, has played a part in summer loan deals for Alvaro Negredo and Benfica pair Rodrigo and Andre Gomes, but is yet to reach an agreement with Bankia over the acquisition of the club.

Valencia have the option to sign Manchester City striker Negredo for €32 million and should Lim's purchase of the club go through, they will also turn their attention to re-signing Mata.

The former Chelsea star left Valencia for Stamford Bridge in 2011 but fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho and made a €47m January move to Old Trafford in 2014.

The summer arrival of Louis van Gaal, followed by the signings of Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera, have seen Mata's place in the starting XI come under threat.

And while it is unclear whether Mata would consider a return to Spain, United are understood to be willing to entertain offers of around €38m for the 26-year-old.

Valencia are weighing up the possibility of signing Mata on an initial loan deal in January with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

But any potential deal to sign Mata would be impossible if Lim's takeover of the club falls through.

Lim has also recently acquired a 50 per cent stake in Salford City, the Evo-Stik Division One North outfit part-owned by former United players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.

MAN CITY PAY FOR POZO SUCCESS

Teenage forward Jose Angel Pozo's emergence as a Manchester City star in the making has cost the club a six-figure fee.

Pozo joined the Premier League champions in 2012 from Real Madrid's youth setup, much to the chagrin of the Spanish giants.

The 18-year-old, who has been likened to Barcelona star Lionel Messi, has since caught the eye in City's Elite Development Squad under the guidance of Patrick Vieira.

Manuel Pellegrini handed Pozo his debut off the bench in the Capital One Cup victory over Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, with the teenager scoring late on in the 7-0 rout.

Following his first appearance and goal for the club, City must now pay Madrid a six-figure fee as part of the deal which took Pozo to the Etihad.

DEMICHELIS SET FOR NEW MAN CITY DEAL

Martin Demichelis will discuss a 12-month contract extension with Manchester City in the coming weeks.

Demichelis played under Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga and joined the Chilean at the Etihad in 2013 after a short stay with Atletico Madrid which lasted less than two months.

The 33-year-old endured a difficult start to life in the Premier League and did not make his debut until October due to injury, but made a significant contribution as the club reclaimed the title last season.

The centre-back's form saw him take part in the 2014 World Cup, playing in the final as Argentina narrowly lost to Germany.

Despite the big-money summer arrival of Eliaquim Mangala, Demichelis is now set to extend his stay in the Premier League.