There are reports coming in today that new Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho may be willing to sell Juan Mata and Barcelona have emerged as early contenders for his signature. Such a player being available is too good an opportunity to miss out on which is why I think Arsene Wenger should make a shock move to bring Mata to the Emirates.
Such a transfer would be a great victory for the club but the transfer record may have to be smashed for him. With the club having around £70 Million to spend, a good chunk of that could be used to prise Mata to the club along with a couple of others like Gonzalo Higuain.
The first issue with signing Mata is where he would play. He plays in similar positions to Santi Cazorla which means his best position is attacking midfield or just behind the striker. Like Cazorla he can play on either wing when required because of his pace and technical ability. However Mata can play as the lone striker if needed which he did at Valencia before the arrival of Roberto Soldado. Mata has not played as the central striker since then but he was very prolific when he did.
He could be used in any of these positions and he would be deadly in every single one of them without a doubt.
Some people may be thinking that we have enough players here and we need proper strikers and defenders and a defensive midfielder, but it is very rare that the chance to sign somebody as good as Mata comes along.
Mata would probably be the club’s biggest transfer in years and would put the criticisms about Arsenal being too cheap to bed. The fact that the club does not spend over £15million on individual players any more is one of the major concerns at the club and by signing Mata, the club can only grow and begin challenging for titles again.
If there is any slight chance of signing him, Wenger should break the bank and get him at all costs because he can take the club to the next level.
Should the manager look to Mata to bring the club future glory?