Man Utd set to offer Mata to COUNTER City's Jovetic bid for Atletico star Koke

ATLETICO MADRID will have their choice of Manchester City's Stevan Jovetic or Manchester United's Juan Mata if they decide to cash in on Koke in the summer.

Koke Player Profile

Reports earlier this week suggested that City were ready to use Jovetic as bait to land Koke - who they want as a replacement for Yaya Toure - with the Montenegrin international out of favour at the Etihad.

Manuel Pellegrini omitted Jovetic from his Champions League squad following the arrival of Wilfried Bony in January, and the 25-year-old has not hidden his disappointment at the decision.

Jovetic said: "The manager has killed me with this decision.

Juan MataGETTY

Juan Mata could be offered to Atletico Madrid

The manager has killed me with this decision.

Stevan Jovetic

"People have told me I am a great player but it is clear the manager doesn't think the ... same way.

"I deserve to be on the list. I told the manager this but he didn't want to listen to me. When we play Barcelona it will be very difficult for me."

But United are not willing to let long-term target Koke slip through their fingers without a fight and will offer Mata to stay in the race, according to reports.

Louis van Gaal hasn't started Mata since the Spaniard was subbed at half-time against QPR and has admitted he is struggling to fit into his new tactical plan.

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