[Pat Murphy]

Racing Insist On Valencia's Mata

Racing Santander are preparing to demand that Valencia allow them to sign Juan Mata on loan as part of the deal that saw Mario Regueiro move to Mestalla.

The Cantabrian outfit want activate the agreement that obliges Valencia to loan them a number of players valued at over €1m, but have now made their move.

Regueiro left Racing in 2005 and Racing have bided their time before making a request and are already facing resistance with their latest bid.

Mata joined Valencia this summer from Real Madrid Castilla and Quique Sánchez Flores has used the youngster in pre-season with an eye on giving him a regular run out next term.

If the request is turned down then Racing are preared to wait until the winter transfer window to try again, according to Marca.

Flores may opt to play hardball, but he could then face a battle that could see the football authorities called in.

Mata jumped at the chance to join Valencia after releasing a clause in his Madrid contract that allowed him to leave the club if he was not automatically promoted to the first team at Bernabéu.

The 19-year-old was one of the stars of Spain's success in the European Under-19 Championships last summer and continued grow during a campaign in la Segunda A.

Goal.com

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