Juan Mata to Valencia: Manchester United midfielder linked with £30m January transfer

The Spaniard could return to his former club

Valencia are weighing up a £30m bid for Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, according to reports.

According to Goal.com, the Spaniard's former club are understood to be keen on bringing the 26-year-old back to La Liga, however they must first wait for Peter Lim to complete his takeover of the club.

Lim is a Singapore-based businessman who played a part in the loan deal for Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo - a player Valencia have the option to buy for £25m next summer. Lim also recently acquired 50 per cent of Salford City, the Evo-Stik Division One North club part-owned by former Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.

And now it appears Mata could also be on his way to the Mestalla, with Lim's contacts at Manchester United potentially helping any deal.

The midfielder left Valencia in 2011 for Chelsea where he was twice named the club's player of the season. However he fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho and moved to Manchester United in January for £37.1m.

Whilst performing well at Old Trafford, the summer recruitment drive that saw Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind, Radamel Falcao and Ander Herrera arrive over the summer has put his place in Louis van Gaal's side under threat.