The 23-year-old has been widely linked with a move away from the Mestalla this summer with north London rivals Spurs and Arsenal reportedly leading the chase.

Redknapp was quoted on The Guardian's website as saying: "[Mata] is a player that we like. So do Arsenal and so do other clubs. I went to watch him when England Under-21 played Spain and I thought he looked fantastic.

"The chairman has been dealing with it so where it is I don't know - I don't deal with them transfers.

"I wouldn't want to say that it isn't happening in case we sign him tomorrow and you all say 'thanks Harry', but he's a player we like."

Should a move for Mata materialise, it would further fuel speculation over the future of Luka Modric, who is attracting interest from a host of clubs including Chelsea.