Is Juan Mata on his way out of Stamford Bridge?

Arsenal are interested in signing the dynamic Spanish playmaker, Juan Mata, from their London rivals, Chelsea.

No sooner did Jose Mourinho return than Mata’s place in the starting eleven of the Blues was under scrutiny.

In accordance to a couple of newspapers in England, Arsene Wenger is keeping track of the updates regarding the former Valencia winger’s future in Stamford Bridge. It is believed that Arsenal are planning for a swoop should Chelsea decide to release him.

Reports suggest that Arsene Wenger was extremely close to landing Mata in 2011, but the Blues pipped the Gunners to the Valencia winger.

Juan Mata is one of the best signings made by Chelsea, as he helped them win the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League and is considered as one of Premier League’s best imports. He scored 11 Premier League goals last season and has notched up 13 assists, which earned him the club’s Player of the Year award for the second successive season.

The Blues had insisted that the playmaker is not up for sale this season, but their London rivals will closely follow every situation, should their minds change.

Despite of all these rumours, Jose Mourinho told the press, “I spoke with them during the summer but when they finished the Confederations Cup I wished them luck and told them I will see them on July 28″

“I have told them they (David Luiz and Juan Mata) are very important for me. How can I change that two days later? So, no contact with them.” He has rubbished all these prospects and stated that Mata is important in his plans and that the Spaniard was certainly not up for sale. But all these were said before the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

On the other hand, Arsenal are known to have been chasing a number of targets, with the Gunners hoping to sign either Liverpool‘s Luis Suarez, Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain or Manchester United‘s Wayne Rooney to make their mark this season in the English football scenario.

Juan Mata, along with his Spanish team mate Santi Cazorla, can finally end Arsenal’s search for silverware. With nearly a decade without a single trophy, Arsenal are desperate to use their funds wisely and bring a a piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet. This prolific play maker can be the silver lining for the North London team.