The Daily Star have made it very clear for us here in the Football Transfer Tavern that Juan Mata is getting closer and closer to the exit door at Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish midfielder has been linked with a move away since the arrival of Jose Mourinho.

Mata now boasts several suitors and our punters note that the former Valencia star will want to ensure he is playing regularly to earn a call up to Spain’s World Cup squad.

Our landlord notes that we have already spent some of the morning talking about the potential move for Mata from Manchester United, with the club looking to offer around £20 million for the Blues’ number 10.

It is La Liga side Atletico Madrid however who are closer to landing Mata, with Mourinho reluctant to help a rival Premier League side, and Diego Simeone keen on bringing a top quality playmaker to his ranks.

Mata would consider a move to either club and in some gossip to raise our eyebrows and cause us to abandon the game of pool, one of our regulars informs us that Mata’s father has flown in from Spain and has still not received assurances from Chelsea over his son’s future at the club.