31-year-old David Villa is adamant that he should be a regular starter in the team where he plays next season. If this happens to be Barca, fine, but if it’s not to be, then he’ll have to look for a club that can guarantee him first team action. Next season will be a very important one, strategically for the Spaniard. Brazil is hosting the 2014 World Cup and would be the last one in which David Villa would be able to play in the best possible physical condition and therefore cannot afford to not play on a regular basis.
For the moment, Vicente del Bosque is counting on him despite his lack of minutes at the Catalan club knowing that he’s the top scorer in the history of the Spanish national team, but both player and coach are fully aware that this situation cannot continue for a year and a half.
If something Del Bosque is reputed for it’s his fairness and he wouldn’t call up a player if he were not playing first team football on a regular basis. In addition, as a high profile striker, Villa believes that he is being devalued or relegated to being a substitute after coming back from a serious injury in which he broke his leg.
This uncomfortable situation is leading Villa to believe that it is time to consider moving away from the club he arrived to in June 2010 from Valencia for 40 Million Euros. Another factor that points to a summer transfer is that Villa will be out of contract in 2014. That means he is either sold this summer or leaves on a free transfer next year. Having cost Barcelona 40Million Euros, the board would not consider letting the play just walk out of the club on a free transfer. With new signings on the horizon including a new keeper and a new forward, possibly Neymar, the board would like to get some return on their investment, something that couldn’t be achieved with Keita.
20Million Euro price tag for David Villa
And while on the subject of money, Barcelona’s sports officials have already put a price tag on David Villa for when interested clubs coming knocking: €20Million. Looking at the market price and what has been asked for other strikers of his caliber, the club believe that €20M is the least they can ask for last World Cup’s top scorer and World Cup winner with Spain.
Reviewing a few examples, we see that Barca’s claim is not outlandish. For example, Hulk went to Russian club Anzhi for €60M, Sergio Agüero cost Manchester City €45M, Falcao cost €40M to Atlético, PSG paid €30M for Lavezzi and Ibrahimovic cost €25M. Just recently, Manchester City bad boy Balotelli went to Milan €20M with 3M in variables.
I’m sure you will agree that they are all great strikers but David Villa in top form, is just as good if not better than any of the above mentioned. Therefore, when the time comes to sell Villa, Barca will start the bidding at €20Million. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, will have to revise his bid of €12Million Euros in order to sign Villa. The Catalan club will not even entertain bids lower than that as David Villa is a top striker and his pedigree proves it.
Official: David Villa has been released from hospital this morning. He’s not available for tomorrow´s game against Granada.
Thanks Francisco for the update, let’s hope Villa is back in action soon.