Wenger delay sees Mata cost rocket

EMBATTLED Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger suffered another blow yesterday after it emerged the Gunners had missed a deadline that would have allowed them to sign Juan Mata for £18 million.

The Valencia midfielder had a buyout clause in his contract that would have allowed him to join a foreign club for that sum but the clause ran out on Sunday night and was replaced by a new figure of £52m.

As a result, Arsenal will now have to spend close to £30m if they are to tempt Valencia into doing business.

It is another significant blow for Wenger who is believed to have wanted the 23-year-old to replace Cesc Fabregas if, as expected, the Arsenal captain gets his wish to return to Barcelona.

However, Arsenal did not want to complete the deal until Fabregas’ move to the European champions had been confirmed.

Their failure to act decisively means Arsenal will now have to pay significantly more than planned if they are to get their man.

Meanwhile, the scan which is likely to determine whether Jack Wilshere can play in England’s friendly against Holland on Wednesday week has been rescheduled for today.