Mata on the brink of joining Arsenal

Arsenal have reportedly agreed a fee in the region of £17million with Valencia as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger prepares for life after Cesc Fabregas.

As reported earlier this week, 23-year-old Mata is keen on a move to Arsenal, despite interest from arch rivals Tottenham.

Spanish versatile attacker

The deal is certainly paving the way for the captain Fabregas to go back to his former club Barcelona.

Fabregas will not be involved in this weekend’s Emirates Cup, a clear sign that the Gunners are becoming resigned to losing him.

Versatile forward Juan Manuel Mata, 23, can play wide or as an attacking midfielder and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the deal will be a major boost for his squad.

Mata is primarily a left-sided attacker, with his potential arrival likely to pave the way for Samir Nasri to move into the Fabregas role behind a main central striker.

Valencia however continue to declare that their star forward wants to stay at the Mestalla, but rumours coming out of Spain continue to contradict their stance.

Only last week it seemed the talented Spanish International was on his way to one of the two Manchester powerhouses, but it seems that Arsenal have now leapt ahead in the race. The Gunners straight cash offer of around £15 million has appealed massively to the ever cash strapped Spaniards and no firm offer has yet been placed, the transfer could be only a matter of days away from completion.

A new centre-back is also a priority at the Emirates and, after failing last week with a £12million bid for Everton’s Phil Jagielka, Wenger is now considering a firm offer for Gary Cahill or Chris Samba.

The Arsenal squad returned to England on Wednesday following the club’s training camp in Germany, with Wenger keen to add at least one player before the end of the week.

Tottenham are also interested in Mata but Arsenal are ready to offer superior personal terms and it is understood that the Spain international wants Champions League football.

Bendtner, meanwhile, is in Portugal and expects to finalise a £9million move to Sporting over the weekend.

Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Manuel Mata, Spain, Spurs, The Emirates Stadium, the Gunners, Tottenham Hotspur, Valencia