Manchester United want contract talks with Juan Mata this month with current deal expiring in the summer

He is keen to stay but problems on and off the pitch mean previous talks to extend his deal have stalled

Sponsored by

MANCHESTER UNITED want to hold showdown contract talks with Juan Mata this month.

The 30-year-old can leave on a free in the summer and will be able to start negotiating a deal away from Old Trafford with foreign clubs in January.

He is keen to stay at the Red Devils, but a number of issues both on and off the pitch have seen talks over fresh terms falter.

A number of clubs across Europe want to snap the ex-Chelsea star up, including old club Valencia who would love to bring him back.

But United are aiming to sit down with Mata's agent and father, Juan Snr, in the coming weeks and thrash out a new deal before it is too late.

An Old Trafford source said: “Mata's dad is a tough negotiator and it has not gone down well how this situation has been allowed to drag on.

“United will try their best to convince them to stay, but it is by no means certain that even extra cash will do the trick.

“It's purely about playing for Juan. The club know they have left it late and are desperately running out of time.

“They are playing catch-up because of various contract issues and the problems on the pitch being a priority to sort.”

It is understood Mata's name came up when United faced Valencia in the Champions League at home earlier this month.

most read in football