Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are said to be another La Liga side keen to bring Mata back to Spain. Madrid’s second team have made real improvements in the last few years under the management of Diego Simeone, who should still have plenty of funds for this move from the £51m sale of Radamel Falcao to Monaco over the summer.
Unlike Valencia, Atletico look like they could be going places, and currently sit joint-top of La Liga with Barcelona, having won all six of their opening games of the season. They were also victorious in the Copa Del Rey final last season, beating arch-rivals Real Madrid for the piece of silverware. Aside from that, they play an adventurous style of football that Mata could fit into well, and the 25-year-old would certainly get the chance to become the focal point of the team if he joined.
They may not be as glamerous a move as Barcelona or Real Madrid, but the club’s philosophy and ambition make this seem a good and realistic next step for Mata in his career.
7/10