Manchester United are set to offer Juan Mata a one-year extension to his contract just months after the Spaniard rejected a move to the Chinese Super League.
According to the Daily Mirror, Mata’s agents were contacted to see if the midfielder was interested in moving to the Far East with his current deal expiring next summer.
The Spaniard who many expected to be culled by Mourinho when the Portuguese took over at Old Trafford.
However, the former Valencia and Chelsea midfielder has proven to be a pivotal member of the United squad, particularly this season as the Red Devils have stormed to the top of the Premier League, second only to Manchester City on goal difference.
Mata’s current £165,000 per week deal would be dwarfed by any offer from China where Carlos Tevez earns over £600,000 each week. However, the 29-year-old believes he has several years left at the top of the English game and if not, certainly a return to La Liga is on the cards.
A move to the Orient would also signal the end of his international career. Although he has yet to add to his 41 Spanish caps this season, his form is such that a return to La Furia Roja can’t be ruled out.
With that much at stake, China is the wrong answer to the question at the moment.
