Mata contract revelations means price tag has risen by £10m

The bad news for Arsenal fans keep on coming following the revelations that Juan Manuel Mata’s buy-out clause in his contract has expired.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were successful in bids for Mata because their £20m bids met the release clause instilled in Mata’s contract.

Mata wasn’t keen on a move to Spurs but he was prepared to move to the Emirates, however Arsenal were unwilling to pay until a deal for Cesc Fabregas had been completed.

A deal for Fabregas is still to materialise and the Arsenal board have been left with egg on their face now Valencia have upped their asking price for Mata.

The Spanish side were never keen on losing their star youngster and the release clause was a source of frustration for Valencia.

Now the release clause has expired Valencia are in a position to negotiate a fee for Mata and it is believed only an offer of £30m plus will tempt Valencia into letting the winger leave.

A new contract with the Spanish side now looks the most realistic move for Mata and considering he was only prepared to leave Valencia for Barcelona or Arsenal, the winger will not be trying to force through a move.

Jack Wilshere has been quoted this morning as saying Arsenal need to strengthen the squad if they are to have any chance of challenging for the Premier League title and the new developments are a big blow for Arsenal.

Couple the Mata news and Wilshere’s comments with the fact Arsenal were booed off at the Emirates on Sunday and it doesn’t make for a great start to the week.

With just 13 days to go until Arsenal’s opening Premier League game with Newcastle, Arsene Wenger has a tough job on his hands reversing the sides fortunes.