Mata out? Atletico Madrid make audacious loan offer for Chelsea's midfield ace



On the eve of Chelsea's first big game of the Premier League against Manchester United, Juan Mata has been the subject of a loan bid from Spanish club Atletico Madrid.



Interest in the midfielder has been rife from around Europe, with Barcelona among the clubs trying to bring Mata back to Spain.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Atletico have sent a club official to London to pursue the bid with Chelsea.



Back to Spain? Atletico Madrid are tabling a loan offer for Chelsea's Juan Mata

Atletico lost Radamel Falcao, their talisman from last season, to Monaco over the summer for £50million and have so far struggled to fill the gap he left.

He could also be a replacement for disgruntled forward Adrian who could soon be off to Roma.

Mata moved to Chelsea for a fee of £24million in 2011 and has shone in his first two season in London, however with the imminent signing of Willian, he role may be reduced. This may put paid to any chance he had of being in Spain's starting 11 at the World Cup.

First team: Mata featured against Aston Villa in Chelsea's last match on Wednesday



