Barcelona Want David Villa Next Week As Valencia Must Sell

Barcelona are keen to wrap up a deal to sign David Villa next week as Valencia know that they have to sell the striker in order to appease their enormous debt with the banks, according to reports in Catalunya.

Los Che's president, Manuel Llorente, may have claimed that the striker was not for sale, but Sport believe that the club recognise that they have no choice but to listen to offers.

With a debt now totalling €547 million, Bancaja, among others, are leaning on Valencia to make a repayment in order to reduce the amount by a considerable chunk.

Offers of loan players heading to the Mestalla are of no interest as a result and Barca will have to raise the money on offer and end talk of Keirrison or Martin Caceres being included in any deal.

Talks between Villa and Barca directors Txiki Begiristain and Raul Sanllehi in Asturias this week were not well received by the Valencia hierarchy, but there is little that can be done.

The Catalan club are now waiting to see who must make the first move, according to El Mundo Deportivo, with the Camp Nou board hoping to receive a call from Valencia to reopen negotiations.

Villa has made it clear that he would like to go to Barcelona and both Sport and El Mundo Deportivo are convinced that a deal will be done, with the latter's reporters staying in Asturias near the player to speak to his family and friends.

Sport believe that the former Real Zaragoza forward has told his relatives that he will be joining the Catalan club and that he would prefer a resolution to the matter before having to return to Valencia.

A five-year deal worth €7.5 million-per-season has been agreed, according to Sport, between Barcelona and the player. Now Barcelona will likely offer Valencia a fee between €40m and €50m.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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