JUAN MATA: Forward (Price: €20m)
Rather than being a case of 'if', it's now 'when' and 'who' in regards to Juan Mata's move to England. The forward is the last of Valencia's crown jewels after the sale of the Davids Silva and Villa last summer and financial pressures on the Mestalla club sees Mata being barcoded and put on the market this time around. "The economic situation is delicate but much better," admitted club president, Manuel Llorente, on Valencia's debt of €368m.
Getafe's Dani Parejo has been bought as an apparent replacement for Mata, who is currently with Spain's U-21 side having volunteered (imagine that) to drop down a level despite being a World Cup winner, so it may be another week or so before Mata's future is resolved.
Anyone who picks up the 23-year-old will not be purchasing a prolific goalscorer but a versatile, 'intelligent' front man who can play across the forward line, but prefers the left-hand side. Mata is a little like Joe Cole but with a basic level of fitness.