Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has told two time club player of the year that he is free to leave Stamford Bridge if he so chooses. Although 'the special one' has admitted he would like the Spanish World Cup winner to stay with the Blues in London.
"I want to keep him. I don't want him to go. That is my opinion, my wish, but my door is open," the Chelsea manager said.
"The club's door is open too so when a player wants to speak to us we are there waiting for them.
"If you are asking do you want the club to sell him? I don't want to."
Mata reacted furiously to being subbed after just 50 minutes during Chelsea 3-0 victory over Southampton. The 25-year-old flung his arms up in the direction of Mourinho and had to be calmed by Michael Essien.
Manchester United will be buoyed by Mourinho's very public comments about Mata's future as they look to bring in quality midfield reinforcements after another disappointing defeat at Old Trafford to Spurs. And with only 13 Premier League appearances this season, Mata may be tempted to make the switch as he looks for a consistent run in the starting XI.
The midfielder is the type of player they are desperately missing at United right now, a player with that eye for a killer pass to link the middle of the park with the wings and strikers.
It is thought a fee in the region of £25 million would be enough to end Mata's misery at Chelsea and give him a new lease of life at stuttering Champions Manchester United.
The only stumbling block is whether or not Chelsea will want to see Mata move to a Premier League rival, but with United down in 7th, Mourinho may not see the Old Trafford club as that
Source: DSG
