Spain midfielder Juan Mata failed to reach an agreement with Valencia over a new contract, according to El Mundo Deportivo. Mata, who reportedly earns around €600,000 per season, asked for a higher salary but his request was turned down by the Spanish outfit. "He knows that what is most important now for the club is to increase capital and when we have stability then that will be the time to study all these things," Valencia president Manuel Llorente said. "Mata will be the first [to have a better contract offered to him]. We know that he is a great player who is young and needs protecting and should stay with Valencia. "We are all aware of how important he is to us." Speculation linked Spanish and European champions Barcelona with a move for the talented 21-year-old, who put in some impressive displays last season.