Saturday, 30th November, 2013
Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has appeared to cast doubt on whether Juan Mata would be an acceptable signing for the club in the January transfer window.
Mata has been strongly linked with moving to PSG when the window swings open in the new year, with some reports even having the deal all but done.
But Blanc has given no hint that could be the case and made remarks which cast genuine doubt over whether the Spaniard is the kind of signing he is looking for, by insisting there is little use buying a player who cannot compete for the club in all competitions.
Mata, who has played for Chelsea in this season's Champions League, would be cup-tied in the competition this term if he joined PSG.
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Asked about potential signings in January at a press conference, Blanc replied: "I'm very happy with my team. If it stays like this until the end of the season, I will be very happy. Potentially with one touch-up.
"My opinion could still change, but today [as things stand] I would like to keep my team. Competition is healthy and it pushes the team towards the top.
"The profile of the [new] recruit? A midfielder.
"A player who can play in the Champions League? We have thought about that.
"If you have to get stronger in this area it has to be a player you can count on in all competitions. You have to look in the context of the team to see if it works or not.
"Mata? The name circulates everywhere. There will be others too. Why? Because there are players who don't play."
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