Barcelona keep tabs on Mata after Mourinho blocks Spaniard’s pay rise

Barcelona are keeping an eye on Juan Mata’s situation at Chelsea, after it emerged that new manager Jose Mourinho, has blocked a wage increase due the midfielder, under the terms of his current deal.

It has been rumoured for weeks, that Mourinho is not convinced about the 25-year-old and might be looking to move him on, but the former Real Madrid boss claims he has not spoken to Mata, or any of the Chelsea players at the ongoing Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Inside sources insist that after Mata scored 19 goals and gave 35 assists last season, he is entitled to a pay rise, but it has been vetoed at Mourinho’s orders. Chelsea have already denied the story, pointing out that Mata has three years left on his contract.

Barca were interested in Mata two years ago, but instead went on to sign Alexis Sanchez from Udinese.

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