It was an unusually high-profile approach for such a high-profile manager, but
Moyes has taken the decision that by travelling in person he will be able
to, as one source put it, “do the sales job” of persuading his targets to
come to United.
Having finally been told by Real Madrid that Coentrao will not be loaned this
month United have considered a move for Southampton’s Luke Shaw, who they
greatly admire, but that is an offer that also might have to wait until the
summer when the incomings will also be balanced out by departures.
Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Nani and Javier Hernández are among the senior
players expected to leave with Moyes also determined to lower the average
age of the United squad as he makes them more competitive and more his own
team.
That process was unsatisfactory in the summer, but the capture of Mata has
changed the dynamics. It was a highly unusual transfer and not just because
it was a club-record deal for United. It was a deal brokered largely through
intermediaries because it was reasoned the move would have immediately
collapsed with a direct approach.
United had to ascertain at what price Chelsea would be prepared to sell Mata
but were fearful that if they made a formal inquiry it would have been
rebuffed – not least because of the hard-line stance they took last summer
over Wayne Rooney. Delicate talks have been ongoing for several weeks, with
Mata’s Chelsea future having been in serious doubt since October, as the
player had grown frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities.
At that stage the frontrunners for his signature were Paris St-Germain and
tentative talks took place, with indications that the Qatari-owned club
would make a bid in January.
That did not transpire. Instead, United’s interest grew as their season began
to unravel and it became evident that the unthinkable was possible: Chelsea
might be willing to sell to them if the right bid was made. After
discussions through those intermediaries a figure of €45 million (£37
million) was regarded as acceptable, especially as Chelsea had ruled out
loaning the player to Atlético Madrid.
United had just one problem: if their bid was rejected, and subsequently made
public, it would not only be embarrassing but another example of them being
unable to land a target under Moyes and Ed Woodward, the executive
vice-chairman.
For Jose Mourinho, the bid was at the level which ultimately placed Mata’s
future in the hands of the board. Mourinho, and the Chelsea hierarchy, are
acutely aware of the demands of Financial Fair Play and selling Mata – not a
central figure in the club’s plans – and signing a cheaper replacement would
help bolster his funds to overhaul his strike-force come the summer.
Mourinho’s only stipulation – if a bid was made and accepted – was that it was
made in time for him to sign a replacement. An informal deadline was placed
of last Tuesday, giving Mourinho 10 days to secure a young, quick winger as
Mata’s replacement. The manager’s reasoning was that he would otherwise be
left with just Andre Schurrle as an under-study to his first choices of Eden
Hazard, Oscar and Willian.
Chelsea expected the offer last Monday evening but it did not formally arrive
until Wednesday. United had met the asking price, there would be no need for
haggling or negotiation, and Chelsea decided to pull Mata out of training.
The 25-year-old was then sent home with the expectation that he would not
return to Chelsea.
Contingency plans had been made. Mourinho’s claim that he was first told that
Mata might be leaving on Tuesday morning is disingenuous; as was his further
claim that only then did he consider a move for Basle’s Mohammmed Salah.
The London club were already aware of the Egyptian’s availability, not least
during their Champions League matches against the Swiss side this season,
which partly explains why the winger’s proposed move to Liverpool dragged
on. Basle knew there were other suitors.
Chelsea will believe they have done better from the Mata deal but United are
cash-rich, talent-poor and needed a marquee signing. Time will tell who has
gained the most.
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