---
title: "Leeds: Journalist shares Juan Mata update"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-journalist-juan-mata-transfer-update/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-07-14T18:19:36Z"
modified: "2022-07-14T18:19:36Z"
---

# Leeds: Journalist shares Juan Mata update

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) are in ‘negotiations’ to sign free agent Juan Mata, with talks ‘on the right track’, according to MLS journalist [Chris Smith](https://twitter.com/CJSmith91/status/1547190826660511746).**

### The Lowdown: Mata leaves Old Trafford

The Spaniard, who is [sponsored](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/juan-mata/profil/spieler/44068) by the Whites’ [kit providers](https://www.leedsunited.com/) Adidas, left Manchester United at the end of June following the expiry of his contract.

The 34-year-old, who was described as [‘top’](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/david-de-gea-and-scott-mctominay-praise-player-of-the-month-juan-mata) player by former Red Devils team-mate Scott McTominay, spent [eight-and-a-half](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/juan-mata/transfers/spieler/44068) years at Old Trafford and made [285](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/juan-mata/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/44068) appearances for the club. He now seems to be on the hunt for a new side, and that could well be a trip across the Pennines to Elland Road.

### The Latest: Mata update

Mata was linked with a move to Leeds by Spanish outlet AS, and [Smith](https://twitter.com/CJSmith91/status/1547190826660511746) – who [covers MLS](https://twitter.com/CJSmith91) for [90min](https://www.90min.com/authors/chris-smith) – provided an update on the situation on Wednesday afternoon.

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/CJSmith91/status/1547190826660511746), he said:

“I’m told negotiations between Juan Mata & Leeds United are going slowly but ‘on the right track’.

“Mata was linked to MLS & Turkey but his priority is staying in a top Euro league. Real Betis, Marseille & 1 of the Rome giants also interested.”

[![Latest Leeds United updates!](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-6/)

### The Verdict: Strength in depth

Mata may well be into the final years of what has been a [glittering career](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/juan-mata/erfolge/spieler/44068), but he could still be a shrewd addition to Jesse Marsch’s side.

He would bring plenty of top-level experience from [almost 600](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/juan-mata/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/44068) club career appearances, could offer vital knowledge to what is a relatively young [first-team squad](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/kader/verein/399) and would provide an option as an [attacking midfielder or out wide](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/juan-mata/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/44068).

\[freshpress-poll id=”402884″\]

There is no fee required and [reports](https://sportwitness.co.uk/player-willing-reduce-wages-join-leeds-currently-studying-elland-road-offer/) elsewhere have claimed that Mata would be willing to take a pay cut on his previous Manchester United wage in order to secure a move to Leeds, which can only be viewed as an encouraging initial sign, making this prospective move one to watch ahead of the new campaign.