Chelsea will look to pip North London sides Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to sign Spaniard Juan Mata from Valencia before this month end.
According to reports in the Guardian, the Blues have looked at Mata as a genuine target if their offer for Modric fails, and Chelsea have made an casual inquiry to Valencia about their willingness to sell.
This latest development will irritate Arsenal, who had looked at the 23-year-old as a likely replacement for the recently departed Cesc Fabregas, but had failed to make a bid for Mata before the 31st of July, which was the expiry date for his buyout clause.
This has meant that Valencia now have the power to say the value of the Spaniard, as the previous buyout clause had limited his value to £22 million.
Tottenham Hotspur had been happy to meet that fee, but the player himself had discarded a move to the club, as they were not challenging for the UEFA Champions League this season.
Further reports indicate that Valencia are looking for at least €30 million before they will allow Mata leave, and with boss Andre Villa-Boas keen to add elegance to his midfield, they are expected to easily outbid their London rivals for the talented attacker.
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