David Villa Closer to Manchester City

According to the News of the World, David Villa's agent will fly to England in the next few days to further negotiations for a €60 million transfer from Valencia to Manchester City.

The Sunday tabloid claims that the Spanish international will be offered wages of €185,000 per week - a figure which would make him, alongside Robinho, the Premier League's top-earning player.

Mark Hughes, the Sky Blues manager, has been scouring Europe for an ideal front-man to complement his Brazilian magician. Jo has struggling for form, Benjani is generally not seen as first-choice material and Valeri Bojinov still out with a long-term injury.

Klaas Jan-Huntelaar was another of the Welshman's top targets, but his decision to join Real Madrid recently could prove a boon for the Eastlands club as it has effectively ruled them out of the running for Villa.

It is understood that Los Che inserted a buy-out clause of around €144 million in the new contract 'El Guaje' signed during the summer - but, given their ongoing financial problems, it is expected they will strongly consider City's offer.

While NOTW may not boast the most stellar reputation where shedding light on potential transfers is concerned, there have been a number of corroborating reports from Spain on this particular issue.

Thus, it is a story that is unlikely to go away between now and the end of January - or until Villa signs on at the City of Manchester Stadium, should that be the case.

--Kieran Quentin, Goal.com