---
title: "Leeds: Whites backed to seal Juan Mata signing"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-whites-backed-to-seal-juan-mata-signing-transfer-orta-marsch/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-07-16T20:35:38Z"
modified: "2022-07-16T20:35:38Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites backed to seal Juan Mata signing

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) bringing in Juan Mata during the summer transfer window would be a ‘great signing’ for the club, according to pundit Frank McAvennie.**

### The Lowdown: Orta closing in

The 34-year-old has left Manchester United after spending eight years there and is now on the lookout for a new club this summer.

Leeds have emerged as strong contenders to acquire Mata, as Jesse Marsch eyes up more attacking reinforcements ahead of the new [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) season. Indeed, according to reports in Spain, via [MOT Leeds News](https://motleedsnews.com/transfers/leeds-united-to-win-race-for-juan-mata-as-victor-orta-transfer-talks-prove-successful/), Victor Orta is set to win the race for the experienced free agent’s signature.

Mata has enjoyed a wonderful career, not only shining at club level but also [winning](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/juan-mata/erfolge/spieler/44068) the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain.

### The Latest: McAvennie excited by signing

Speaking to [*Football Insider*](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-to-complete-great-signing-as-juan-mata-deal-close-pundit/), McAvennie, 62, claimed the Spaniard would be a superb addition to Leeds’ squad, should the move go through:

> “When you’ve got such a good talent like Mata, I think he’s better than what’s he doing. I think he got a raw deal at Man United. Do I think he’s got something to prove? Yeah, definitely. Would he be good at Leeds? I think he’d be a great signing at Leeds.
>
> “He loves getting on the ball, he would be the man there who could control things. I think he’d be a great singing. I just think he’s better than what he’s been shown.
>
> “Mata is one of the ones I thought was a Man United player. If I think he’s good enough for Man United he’s certainly good enough for Leeds at the moment.
>
> “He wasn’t getting a game for Man United but I would put him in straight away. He’s better than Fred and McTominay. When he comes in I don’t think he does anything wrong and then he’s out again.
>
> “I think Leeds supporters would love him at the club. They’ve been out of everything for so long that a player like Mata going to Leeds would be right up their street.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398317″\]

### The Verdict: Still possesses class

While Mata’s very best days are now behind him, he remains a top-quality footballer capable of adding a sprinkling of stardust to Leeds United’s squad.

\[freshpress-poll id=”402768″\]

Much like someone like Joao Moutinho at Wolves, the veteran could bring that experience and class to the Whites’ midfield, opening up defences and having runners around him. He has [50 goals and 64 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/juan-mata/alletore/spieler/44068) to his name in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/), which speaks volumes about his abilities.

It may be that Mata isn’t viewed as a starter week in, week out by Jesse Marsch, given the fitness and work rate he expects from his players, but he could be a perfect squad addition, both on and off the pitch.