Soccer:Juan Mata was today preparing to say his goodbyes to Valencia after confirming he was travelling to London to complete the formalities of his move to Chelsea. The winger was expected to undergo a medical before putting the seal on a deal reportedly worth around €28 million.
That would make the 23-year-old Chelsea’s biggest signing of the summer following the arrivals of youngsters Romelu Lukaku, Oriol Romeu and Thibault Courtois. Mata tweeted today: “Travel to London for medical examination, and come back to Valencia to say goodbye to everybody as you deserve...thanks so much!”
Last night saw both clubs confirm a deal had been agreed for the player, who was part of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad and captained their triumphant European Under-21 Championship team. His arrival would add much-needed creativity to a Chelsea side which struggled to break down both Stoke and West Brom in their opening two league games of the season.
New manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted he is short of numbers in midfield and although he insisted he was happy with the quality at his disposal, his pursuit of Mata and Tottenham’s Luka Modric suggests otherwise. Both are the type of player likely to help get the best out of Fernando Torres, who played well at Stoke last weekend but has again not looked like scoring in either of his games this season.
Chelsea still retain an interest in Modric, who Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted was not mentally fit to play in tonight’s Premier League game at Manchester United. There have been reports of a €30 million bid having been made for the Croatia playmaker, who Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has repeatedly insisted is not for sale at any price.
Redknapp, however, has suggested it might be in the club’s interest to part with Modric and spend the money on reinforcements, one of which might have been Mata had he agreed to a move. The Spaniard was also a target for Arsenal but appears to have more chance of domestic and European success at Stamford Bridge.
His arrival could kick-start a number of departures from Chelsea, with Yossi Benayoun stating at the weekend that he expected to be able to clarify his own future on Wednesday. Also linked with moves away have been forwards Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda, the latter of whom came off the bench to score the winner against West Brom on Saturday having lost his place in the side.
One player who did leave Stamford Bridge today was Tomas Kalas, who joined Vitesse Arnhem on loan, while fellow defender Slobodan Rajkovic was reportedly set to become the latest departee for Hamburg. The Serb, 22, joined Chelsea from OFK Beograd in 2007 but has never played in a competitive game for the club due to work-permit problems.
