Rumours: Mata set for Spanish return?

Is Juan Mata set for a return to La Liga in January?

Not a bumper day for the old transfer rumours today but a couple of interesting ones nevertheless, as usual Alex Johnson rounds it all up for us.

Europa League holders Sevilla are preparing a January move for Manchester United's Juan Mata, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Spain international has been in-and-out of the team this season under new manager Louis van Gaal and the prospect of more regular first-team football could be too much to resist.

Despite featuring less for the Red Devils the midfielder has managed to bag four goals in the Premier League and the 26-year-old scored the winner in the 2-1 win over Stoke City last time out.

It would take a substantial offer if Sevilla were to prize Mata away though as United would be looking to recoup somewhere near the 30-plus million they forked out when buying the Spaniard from Chelsea.

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Moving on and the Metro are reporting that Tottenham are mulling over a possible swap-deal for Jackson Martinez, with Roberto Soldado going in the opposite direction.

The Columbia international has been in sensational form for Porto this season and the 28-year-old has found the back of the net eight times from 11 league appearances.

It has been a stark contrast for Soldado who has struggled to adapt to the English style of play and the Spaniard could be used as leverage by manager Mauricio Pochettino

It is likely that Spurs will have to offer some cash on top of the deal and a sum of around 5million may be enough to land the Columbian when the January transfer window opens.

Staying with the Premier League and there could be a potential exit for Queens Park Rangers outcast Shaun Wright-Phillips, according to reports from Talksport.

The 33-year-old is yet to feature in the Premier League this season and the former Manchester City star is being linked with a move to the MLS - where his brother Bradley currently for the New York Red Bulls.

Any deal is likely to be completed in the summer when the winger's contract with the Hoops expires and the ex-England international could play out the rest of his career in America.

And finally, the Guardian are reporting that several first-team Liverpool players are pleading with captain Steven Gerrard to stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

Manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed the Reds have offered the skipper a new deal, although no decision has been made by the former England international.

Team-mates Rickie Lambert and Jordan Henderson have both called for the midfielder to stay at Anfield and the recent return to the starting line-up - where the 34-year-old scored in the 3-1 win over Leicester - could play a huge part in the overall contract decision.