Manchester United seemed to be race against time to keep Spanish midfielder Juan Mata, but the race in recent times have taken a new twist.

Juan Mata’s contract expires next summer with the Spaniard likely to leave as a free agent in the event that the Old Trafford based club fails to reach agreement with him. The Spaniard according to report will begin to meet foreign based club at the start of 2018 football season.

The former Chelsea player has been touted by the media to rejoin his boyhood club Valencia, but London Evening Standards reports that the Spanish footballer could be on his way to the Seria A with Juventus interested in bringing him.

Mata has scored 41 times and registered 34 assists in 196 appearances for United since a 2014 move from Chelsea.

Media reports indicates that the Manchester Club have entered into talk with the midfielder in a bid to avoid a departure, but the Spaniard has revealed that he would only extend his contract with the club if he is assured of quality game time.

Mata is not the only Red Devils player being pushed by the Turin based club as the Old Lady are reportedly in the race to acquire shot-stopper De Gea on Bosman terms. De Gea has turned down contract extension offers with the Manchester club.