MANCHESTER CITY have officially joined the race for in-demand Valencia winger Juan Mata by Âtabling a £22million bid.
The Eastlands outfit have spoken to Valencia president Manuel Llorente and it is understood the two parties are now in advanced talks after Roberto Mancini’s side secured Champions League football for next season.
City have been tracking Mata for several months, but only in the past week have negotiations moved on a level with City clinching top-flight European action.
Valencia are sticking to their guns over their asking price for the Spain Âinternational – they want £25m – but the fact City’s Âopening offer isn’t a million miles away will make both clubs optimistic they can shake hands on a deal.
Liverpool have also shown an interest, with director of football Damien Comolli offering around £17m for Mata, and Chelsea are also keen – but City lead the Premier League pack.
The only potential problem for City is that Barcelona have not yet ruled Âthemselves out of the running, and the chance to stay in Spain would give the 23-year-old a big decision to make.
However, his close friend and former Valencia team-mate David Silva has given him the lowdown on life in Manchester and City hope that in Silva they hold a trump card.
City’s bid for Mata is yet another move ahead of what promises to be an epic close- season at Eastlands.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said that he had heard City have already made a couple of signings “who will blow your brains out†– and Hotline understands that Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez, who is also wanted by rivals Manchester United, is one of those for whom a deal has been struck.
City would love Mata and Silva to provide the ammunition for 22-year-old Sanchez, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko.
But skipper Carlos Tevez is still widely expected to quit the club in the summer after handing in a transfer request, which he later withdrew, and threatening to retire earlier in the season.
He is a target for Inter Milan while Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is also a long-time admirer. There will be fears over the future of Adam Johnson if Mata does arrive in the blue half of Manchester.
But City will tell the England winger there is enough football in prospect with domestic and European competition.
At the other end of the scale, City are interested in 15-year-old Norwich keeper Angus Gunn, son of Canaries legend Bryan. Although Gunn senior was capped six times by Scotland, Angus made his debut for England Under-16s three months ago.