ExWHUemployee believes that West Ham United could take a gamble on signing former Manchester United star Juan Mata this summer, despite the player not fitting the side’s age bracket.
The Hammers have been linked with a move to former Red Devil Jesse Lingard this summer after his successful loan at the club during the 20/21 Premier League season, however, it now looks like they are going for his former teammate Mata, who also left the club as a free agent.
According to Ex, manager David Moyes could be attracted to signing the Spaniard despite the fact he is not within the target age range for the club ash he bought the player to Manchester United when he was at the helm.
He said on the Transfer Show, “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.” (9:21)
TIF Thoughts on Mata to West Ham…
Mata barely featured for the red side of Manchester last season under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. He only made 12 appearances across all competitions including seven in the Premier League with just two coming as starts.
During this time he failed to score or assist for the club and averaged just 0.7 shots, 0.3 key passes, 0.4 dribbles, 0.3 crosses, and one long ball per game but did average 88.9% passing accuracy on 29.7 average passes per game. (Whoscored)
The former United man will be 34 next season and while he could be a good backup for the likes of Said Benrahma or Pablo Fornals, with his form from last season it is hard to see how he would be a serviceable contributor for the East London side.
Should West Ham sign Mata?YesNo |