Benitez wants Newcastle to flout ‘club policy’ to sign Mata

Matt Stead
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez talks to Juan Mata before the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on April 17, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Newcastle are about to become everyone’s second favourite team after Rafael Benitez requested they ‘go against a club policy’ to sign Juan Mata.

Mata is yet to agree a contract extension with Manchester United on a deal that expires this summer.

The 31-year-old has been linked with Brighton, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona – that holy Spanish trinity – but Benitez wants Newcastle to make a move.

The Sun claim that the manager ‘is keen on a reunion’ with the former Chelsea man as ‘an early test’ of whether owner Mike Ashley will cede to his demands.

Benitez is thought to have asked Newcastle to ‘be more open-minded about signing players older than 26 and to start paying more competitive salaries’.

A move for Mata would represent a huge shift in their transfer policy, as the 31-year-old would want around £140,000 a week to move to St James’ Park.

Benitez is eager to sign his compatriot for his ‘creativity, personality and experience’.