West Ham could make a move to sign Juan Mata this summer, according to ExWHUemployee.
The 33-year-old is a free agent after leaving Manchester United last month.
David Moyes was the manager to bring him to Old Trafford from Chelsea back in 2014, suggesting that a relationship between the two might be a key factor in securing the Spaniard’s signature.
While Mata doesn’t fit the age range West Ham would typically look at in the transfer window, Mata’s experience and undoubted quality would surely be a key factor in the thinking behind potentially bringing him to east London.
Ex explained on his Transfer Show that while a deal isn’t even remotely close, he wouldn’t be surprised if Moyes turned to Mata if other deals for the likes of Jesse Lingard fell through.
He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if David Moyes starts to have a look at that player because he was the one that brought him to Manchester United depending on how it goes with Lingard and a few other wingers.
“Yes, [Juan] Mata doesn’t really fit our age bracket, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Moyes will take a gamble on him at some point, but we shall see.”
Since arriving in England to sign for Chelsea from Valencia in 2011, Mata has won two FA Cups, two Europa Leagues, one League Cup and the Champions League.
His experience of winning silverware – he’s also won the World Cup and European Championships with Spain – could prove to be priceless as David Moyes continues his transformation of West Ham by seeking to end the Hammers’ 42-year wait for silverware.
Mata would obviously not be signed as a first-team player and would likely be used as a backup option for the likes of Pablo Fornals, Manual Lanzini and Said Benrahma, but his quality and experience, both and off the pitch, could make any possible deal a very shrewd one indeed.
If it happens, of course.
