Juan Mata will have to demand a transfer in order to push through a move to Arsenal on Monday, writes Dave Kidd of the Sunday People.
Sunday People Sport exclusively revealed last week that the Gunners wanted to sign Chelsea's Spanish star – an interest confirmed by boss Arsene Wenger on Tuesday.
But Mata now faces a huge decision – knowing he will not be a regular starter in Chelsea's biggest matches under Jose Mourinho but also aware that the club will not actively look to sell him before the transfer window shuts.
Mata, 25, is a huge favourite among fans and many of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy but Mourinho has made it clear that Oscar and Eden Hazard will be automatic choices in his attacking midfield three.
The Spanish star was on the bench for the Blues' Super Cup defeat by Bayern Munich on Friday.
And Mourinho will not have shelled out £30million on Willian to leave him on the bench.
Mata was left out of the Spain squad this week and is desperate to make the plane to Brazil next summer.
So with Arsenal having made their interest clear – they are willing to pay £30m for him – Mata must decide whether to ask for a move.
Mourinho knows it would be an unpopular decision to sell Mata to a major London rival but he is also under pressure to cut the Chelsea wage bill, which has soared this summer.
So if the club cannot offload Fernando Torres in a permanent move, they may be willing to let Mata go to cut costs.
It is believed that Arsenal have sounded out Mata's representatives about his availability but are also making contingency plans.
Julian Draxler, Schalke's 19-year-old attacking midfielder, is another option, but he would cost up to £50m after a £38m buy-out clause in his contract expired earlier this summer.
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