Juan Mata’s current deal at Manchester United expires at the end of this season and the Red Devils retain an option to extend it for a further year.
As things stand, the 33-year-old can leave Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer.
The playmaker has emerged as a target for Lazio, if various reports coming out of Italy on Wednesday are to be believed.
Gazzetta dello Sport explain the Spaniard is added to Igli Tare’s ‘notebook’ and is an ‘important name’, considering his profile and experience.
The Biancocelesti tried to sign Mata’s compatriot David Silva on a free transfer last summer, but he snubbed them to join Real Sociedad. Therefore, they ended up taking Andreas Pereira on loan from United.
Simone Inzaghi’s side want Mata for the attacking midfield position next season. Efforts have already started for his signing as the Rome based club have ‘initiated contacts’ with his entourage.
Mata earns €8m annually with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and has no plan to renew as his desire is to play elsewhere. As per the report, the maximum Lazio would be willing to offer him is half of what he’s currently earning.
Il Tempo partly echo Gazzetta’s claims, and add Mata’s current wages make it difficult for Lazio to sign him in the next market.
Mata Sr manages the United player and the agent is asking for a deal worth €4-5m per season for two seasons, with an option to extend it further by 12 months.
Since the competition can be intense for signing Solskjaer’s man, Tare and Lazio president Claudio Lotito could soon think about making a ‘decisive assault’ for Mata.
Meanwhile, the soap opera regarding Inzaghi’s renewal still continues. La Repubblica explain that ‘theoretically’, José Mourinho’s arrival at AS Roma should accelerate Inzaghi’s renewal.
Their report’s headline reads: ‘Lotito has chosen Inzaghi the anti-Mou and thinks of Mata’.
Having failed to sign Silva last summer, the Italian club’s manager is still asking the club to a player with a similar profile in the next market.
This is where Mata fits in and La Repubblica explain Lazio are ready to offer him a two-year deal worth €4m annually plus bonuses, while he asks for €5m per season. As per the report, ‘there will be discussions’ between the two parties.
Inzaghi would be ‘happy to include’ an experienced and quality player like Mata in his plans for the 2021/22 season.
To sum it up, all three reports are stating Lazio are willing to offer €4m per season, while Mata is demanding a two-year deal worth around €4-5m.
