Barcelona are negotiating to sign Juan Mata from Valencia
if Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic departs the club, according
to TV3.
Despite denials from Camp Nou that the Swede is for sale, it is
reported that Barca are seeking a buyer for the man who joined in a
€69 million deal from Inter last summer. There is reported
interest in Ibra from the English Premier League but the player is
understood to prefer a move back to Italy.
Should he leave, that would pave the way for Barca to step up their
interest in the Valencia attacker. While the departure of David
Silva is at this stage more likely, los Che may be prepared to cash
in on Mata instead, if the deal were to present itself
sooner.
El Mundo Deportivo claim that while Mata's buyout clause
is set at €60 million, he would be available €20 million with the
Blaugrana keen to have all transfers settled prior to the World
Cup.