Reports in Spain suggest Real Madrid could be chasing the signature of Chelsea ace Juan Mata, after Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale had been valued too high by Spurs discouraging interest from Madrid.

Mata, who has been one of the most influential midfielders in the Barclays Premier League, never-mind Chelsea, won the award for the Player of the Season, and the Players’ Player of the Season award, which recognized the respect he commanded from his fellow players on and off the field.

Incidentally, the Spaniard began his career at Madrid, where he was part of their youth academy from 2003 to 2006. The left-footer was recognized as a top talent, but due to the senior side being full of stars that could not be replaced at the time, Mata was given a place in the Real Madrid B side, where he was given his first professional contract. The player’s golden period came after he moved on to Valencia, where he played 129 games, scoring 33 goals, before making the move to Stamford Bridge.

With the departure of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea, Madrid have been looking for a new manager and have recently confirmed the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, but the football world is aware of the power held by club president Florentino Perez in the decisions made at the club. Also, Perez, who is in his second stint as president at the club, develops streams of finances which create funding for big signings, like that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Spanish players are always on the radar for Madrid, and Mata’s awesome progress at Chelsea has not gone unnoticed in Europe. Also, with Mourinho’s arrival at the club, Mata may or may not be the figurehead in his plans for the midfield. Mourinho’s strong faith in Frank Lampard is known to all, which means the England international will be key in the midfield next season. With Michael Essien also returning to Chelsea from his loan period at Madrid, Mata might have to settle for fewer appearances in the first team.

Brazilian ace Oscar, Essien, Lampard and Eden Hazard could end up being the first choice for the Portuguese manager, with Ramirez and John Obi Mikel also waiting in the list of stars.

Much will depend on Carlo Ancelotti coming in at the Santiago Bernabeu and whether or not he really fancies trying to lure Mata to Real Madrid. Any pursuit of Mata seems like it would be a waste of time as Mata himself has been most vocal about his satisfaction with things in England and his desire to stay in West London. The pull of playing for the world’s biggest team in your homeland must be pretty big for Mata but hopefully Carlo Ancelotti will turn his head so much that he actually wants to leave Chelsea.