The story of the day has got to be that David Villa has dramatically signed for Atletico Madrid over Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs were pipped to the post in a deal worth 5.1M Euros.
Yes, Barcelona has confirmed the transfer of David Villa to Atletico Madrid. The operation is worth an estimated 5.1 million euros – that’s 2.1 million this season, 2M more if the player still belongs to Atletico Madrid the season after and another 1M if his contract extends until 2015/16. Additionally, the Catalan club retains 50% of the rights on any future transfer of the player.
A statement from FC Barcelona read:
“FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of the player David Villa to the Madrid club.”
Atletico Madrid then added on Twitter:
“The agreement and the signing of Villa as a new player at Atletico will be formalised after the player has taken a medical.”
David Villa joined Barcelona three summers ago in 2010. Villa, from Asturias in the North of Spain, has won everything as a Barca player, with some great performances in his first season at the club, which included a goal in the final of the Champions League. His second season was marked by a serious injury and in his third season, Tito Vilanova didn’t really count on him. With the arrival of Neymar, Villa would have had even more difficulty getting first team action and a chance to figure in Del Bosque’s plans for the World Cup next year in Brazil.
The player has in effect, replaced Radamel Falcao, who left for Monaco in exchange for 45M euros. Atletico’s coach, Diego Simeone complained last week about the lack of signings. Now he has a new striker. The agreement and the signing, according to Atletico Madrid, will be formalized once the player passes a medical.
Around one in the morning on Tuesday morning, the player went to the AC Hotel La Finca, the usual place for Atletico Madrid meetups. David Villa arrived in his car with his father, brother and agent, Victor Oñate.
Lets not jump the gun here. Theyve agreed a fee, he hasnt signed.
Unlike the past three years where a new “project” consisted of signing a few new players and improving upon the season before, this new Atletico project is more of a ground-up operation than anything. We have a brand new manager who is starting from the beginning of the season, we are cashing in on a couple of players and making smart signings, and are finally experimenting with new formations and playing styles.