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Some transfer rumours can live for years. Others are born, flower and die within the space of a single morning. And though we have not yet had an example of the former -- the latest instalment in Nicolas Gaitan's move to Manchester United will be along about half-three -- but we've had a beautiful example of the latter.
Juan Mata to Barcelona!
According to the Daily Mail, "initial contact" has been made between the club and Mata's people with regard to a summer move. Mata, though happy at Old Trafford and apparently keen to succeed, apparently "harbours private concerns over the long-term direction of the club," which is an exceedingly subtle way of saying "thinks Louis van Gaal is a massive spoofer." And they can't be that private; they're in the paper.
But wait! No sooner had this been floated than it was sunk. Sky Sports's Spanish expert Guillem Balague is having none of it
Rubbish story of the day: the rumours about Mata. He is staying put, doesn't want to go, United don't want to sell at all
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 1, 2016
Wait, what's that? You're about to cynically suggest that a 'no' from Balague is more-or-less a 'yes'? Shame on you! Besides, the Mirror reckon it's a load of toss as well.