€30m United and Gunners target flattered by interest - reports

Juan Mata has spoken out about transfer speculation, with the Arsenal and Manchester United target admitting he is flattered by the rumours.

"It is true that teams have been linked with me but this is a good sign that I am playing well,” Mata said.

"Despite all the rumours, I have to stay calm and step away from all the speculation. I am well aware of the rumours but this is not the first summer I have had to deal with this so they do not worry me.

"My aim now is to make sure I am ready for the start of the new season and keep improving as a player. I want to win more trophies."


 

Arsenal have long been connected to Mata, and today Arsene Wenger said he would spend big if the right player came along.

"The job is to find the players with the right talent that will give a plus to the team,” Wenger said.

"If we need to spend money, we will do it."

But Arsenal have some fair competition to get to Mata, with Manchester United reportedly also entering the race for the star winger.

United may be able to boast a larger budget than Arsenal, despite Wenger’s comments, but one would question why Sir Alex Ferguson is chasing another winger, with Ashley Young, Nani, Park Ji-Sung and Valencia already on the books.

But United can’t be discounted from the equation just yet, with Nani and Park Ji-Sung both rumoured to be considering exits from the English giants. And with Spanish publication Las Provincias claiming that Mata is worth €30 million, United could have the upper hand in the bidding ring.