Valencia aim to trump Barcelona for Real Madrid kid Mata

Valencia have made a late move to trump Barcelona for Real Madrid's exciting young playmaker Juan Mata.

Mata's father, Juan Snr, has been locked in talks with Barca officials over the last 48 hours about a Bosman move to the Nou Camp at the end of this season.

But Valencia stepped in late yesterday afternoon to table a six-year pro contract with their senior team and also assuring Mata they will attempt to buy him during this month's winter market and register him for the Champions League.

Asked about the situation, Mata's coach with Real Madrid B, Michel, told AS: "This season he was in the C squad and I promoted him to the Castille (B). Mata told me this was what he wanted. I will have to talk to his father ..."