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AAP
AAP
Sport
George Clarke

Why Sydney passed on chance to sign Wanderers star Mata

Juan Mata Wanderers Douglas Costa Sydney the Sky Blues Dan Himbrechts Sydney FC Western Sydney the ALeague
Star imports Douglas Costa (L) and Juan Mata (R) will face off in the next ALM Sydney derby. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Western Sydney's star recruit Juan Mata could have been starting this A-League Men (ALM) season in the colours of Sydney FC after the Spaniard's services were offered to the Wanderers' fiercest rivals.

In an intriguing twist ahead of Saturday's season-opening derby, Sydney chief executive Mark Aubrey revealed that the Sky Blues opted against making a move for Mata as they finalised the capture of their own marquee signing in Brazilian winger Douglas Costa.

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