Rumour: Chelsea ready to swap Juan Mata for Xabi Alonso

Set to exchange roles?

Xabi Alonso and Juan Mata are probably two of the most speculated players in this transfer window, with no concrete reports on the duo’s future yet to surface. One day they are staying at their club, the next day they are wanted by top clubs all across Europe.

Latest speculation is that Chelsea are prepared to offer out-of-favour attacker Juan Mata to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona as the player looks set to push for an exit from his current club in search of game-time ahead of the World Cup,

The Blues boss Mourinho is particularly keen in shipping Mata to his old club Real in a bid to lure Xabi Alonso, whose contract with the Bernabeu outfit ends in the summer and hopes that this swap deal will tempt the Spanish club to part company with the 32-year-old.

Real Madrid’s inclination in signing Mata remains uncertain, but Carlo Ancelotti might be tempted in a reduced fee for the Spaniard if Alonso is included in the deal. With the future of winger Angel Di Maria still uncertain Mata could prove to be a useful signing for Real.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly front-runners to land the former Valencia man with high interest from Manchester United and Juventus also reported.