体坛英语新闻：Valencia forward Mata avoids Barcelona talk

MADRID, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Valencia forward Juan Mata avoided talking about interest in signing him from FC Barcelona.

    Mata spoke as he reported for duty with the Spanish national team, which will play a friendly in Macedonia on Wednesday.

    The player, who began his career at Oviedo before joining the Real Madrid youth system, was last week the subject of a 20 million euro offer from Barcelona. However, Valencia turned down the offer and also refused to consider improving his contract.

    "At the moment I am going to concentrate on the national team. I am always happy when I come along to play for Spain and for the moment, I am only thinking of the game against Macedonia," said Mata to the crowd of journalists who were waiting for his arrival in Madrid.

Barcelona's Thierry Henry (L) and Valencia's Juan Mata fight for the ball during their Spanish first division soccer match at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia April 25, 2009.

    Last season Mata scored 11 goals, but also formed an effective attacking partnership with team-mates David Silva and David Villa, supplying several passes to Villa, which the striker converted into goals.

    Barcelona views him as a long term successor to Thierry Henry, who is almost 32 years old.

    Villa was also the subject of offers from both Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer, however, Valencia fought off the interest and instead Barcelona signed Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovich.