Barcelona and Juan Mata's dad hold meeting
Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is interested in a return to Spain and Barcelona are interested in signing him, according to media reports.
The father and agent of Juan Mata, Juan Mata Senior has held a meeting with Barcelona, Spanish radio channel Cadena SER has revealed.
The ex-Valencia player is interested in a return to Spain with the LaLiga champions being the most likely option, according to Spanish journalist Sique Rodríguez.
Mata is out of contract with Manchester United in June and could leave the club on a free transfer this summer after five-and-half-years at the club.
Mata offered United contract, but has other options
Earlier this week, his father confirmed that United had offered the ex-Chelsea midfielder a contract extension, but that they are also considering other options.
"Manchester United have offered to renew us, we are very happy," he told Cadena SER. "But there are proposals from Champions League teams.”
Links between Barça and Mata emerged in January, when Goal reported that the Catalan club had spoken to the player of their interest in bringing him back to his native Spain, where the 30-year-old played with Valencia for three seasons before joining Chelsea in 2011.
Mata is a product of Real Madrid’s academy, but never made the step up to the first team before he joined Valencia in 2007.
When speaking with Cadena SER earlier this week, Juan Mata Senior ruled out a move to United’s Premier League rivals Manchester City or Liverpool, which further indicates that a return to Spain could be a likely option for the attacking midfielder.