Chelsea unlikely to allow outcast Mata to move on loan to Napoli during January

By Joe Bernstein for the Daily Mail

Published: 17:30 EDT, 4 January 2014 | Updated: 17:30 EDT, 4 January 2014

Rafa Benitez’s Napoli have not made a bid for Chelsea’s Juan Mata and do not believe they can prise him away from Stamford Bridge this month.

Benitez, who managed his Spanish compatriot at Chelsea last year, would like to take Mata on loan but Chelsea are unlikely to agree to such a request.

And Napoli’s view is that if Mata were available to be sold, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Paris St Germain would all be involved in the bidding — all of whom could out-spend Napoli.

On the move: Juan Mata is wanted by many clubs and he does want a more important role

Anger: Mata was visibly left raging after his substitution against Southampton on New Year's Day

Mata looks increasingly likely to stay at Stamford Bridge during the transfer window, though the player is said to fear for his World Cup place in Spain’s squad given his inability to command a consistent starting place in the first XI.

He has seemingly lost his place to Oscar under manager Jose Mourinho this season and reacted angrily to being substituted in  the 3-0 victory over Southampton on New Year’s Day.

However, the player is likely to move on in the summer with Paris St Germain ready to pay £30million.

Reunion? Rafael Benitez got on well with Mata who performed superbly under him

No shortage of suitors: Mata is in demand but may be better off staying at Chelsea