Juventus could offer Juan Mata a way out of Manchester United, with the Italian champions interested in opening talks in January.

Mata is free to speak to foreign clubs in the New Year as he enters the final six months of his Old Trafford contract.

Juve, who have made a habit of picking up high quality free agents, have identified the Spaniard as their next potential transfer coup following the signings of Patrice Evra, Sami Khedira, Dani Alves and Emre Can in recent years.

Jose Mourinho has told United’s board he wants them to tie down the future of the 30-year-old, along with Ander Herrera , but a deal is still to be struck.

Sources close to Mata insist he is too young to seek lucrative moves to the US or China.

The playmaker has also been linked with a return to Spain with former club Valencia or Oviedo, but the chance to experience Serie A could be appealing.

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The slower pace of the game in Italy is also seen as ideal for Mata’s game.

United left it late to trigger a 12-month option on Mata’s contract last season, which bought them time to consider his long-term future.

Mourinho is keen to keep hold of him due to his positive impact in the dressing room – but there is also an acceptance he will not be a regular starter when United boast a fully fit squad.

But Mata has shown his value on the pitch, too, this season as one of the club’s best performers during a troubled start to the campaign.

Mourinho has been full of praise for Juve’s recruitment strategy in recent weeks – and a move for Mata would be typical of the Italians’ business in recent times.

As well as making headline signings such as Cristiano Ronaldo for £99m, they have also successfully worked the market to poach players at either ends of their careers, with Paul Pogba and Evra perfect examples of that approach.

They are interested in opening negotiations with Mata if United fail to tie up his future before the turn of the year.