Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out the prospect of swapping Juan Mata for Wayne Rooney in a possible part-exchange deal this summer, according to the Metro. Mata's future has been the subject of much speculation during the transfer window with reports suggesting the Spain international was included as part of Chelsea's first offer for Rooney. Willian's expected move from Anzhi this week has also raised question marks over the 25-year-old's future, just two seasons after joining the West London club from Valencia. And when asked what would happen if United asked for Mata as part-exchange for Rooney, Mourinho was evasive on the topic.
"Thats hypothetical, because they didnt ask. "The two answers we got from Man United is 'we dont accept the bid', 'were not interested in selling the player'. "Thats the only official contact we had with Man United. Till Monday, we have nothing more to add to it. "We make the bid and they say no again. What do we lose? One email."
United have so far stood firm on their stance that Rooney will not be sold this summer, especially not to a direct title rival. Selling the striker to Chelsea would be viewed as strengthening their opponents, who travel to Old Trafford for a typically mouth-watering affair tonight. But Mourinho added that the champions should not be afraid of selling Rooney to his club. "To me it is not a difficult decision because you want very much to keep Rooney or you dont want to keep him?" added Mourinho.
"But that old-fashioned mentality of, I dont sell players to clubs in the same country I think doesnt help. "Sometimes you push players abroad when you should be keeping them in your league because then you are contributing to making your league the best league. "You see in Italy it happens every season without any problems. Filippo Inzaghi played for Juventus, Milan. From the big players, only Francesco Totti stayed for life. Andrea Pirlo Inter, Milan, Juventus."
With just over a week left to go of the summer transfer window, it remains to be seen if either Rooney or Mata stay at their respective clubs this season.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
