Posts Tagged ‘David Villa’

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Arsenal update: Guillem Balague says £10 million bid for David Villa

By Stefano on May 20th, 2013
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There is some real confusion about where David Villa will be playing football next season. However it seems very unlikely that he will be joining any clubs that can’t offer him Champions League football so that means Spurs and Liverpool are out of the picture.

So then where does that leave Arsenal?

A couple of sources are quoting Spanish football expert Guillem Balague who has said that Arsenal have bid around £10m for the Spanish striker.

Balague also tweeted

Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool all interested in him. So is Atletico Madrid. It’s still waiting time for Villa

So it seems that Villa’s decision is going to be between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.

That is if Arsene Wenger wants him. Back in January he would have been a very good buy for Arsenal. In May though Wenger, with all his cash and a CL place in the bag, has a lot more options. And then there are those nagging doubts about his poor form in the second half of the season, that injury and his advancing years.

Would you still take him?



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Arsenal update: David Villa – it is us or Spurs?

By Stefano on May 17th, 2013
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So David Villa’s quest to re start his carer in North London and the Premiership continues, however the news this morning is that the Spanish striker might not heading for his expected destination

The Barca man, who very nearly joined Arsenal in the winter window is, according to radio station Cadena Ser and newspaper Mundo Deportivo, on his way to White Hart Lane and that a £15million fee has already been agreed between the two clubs.

However any deal is predicated on whether or not Spurs qualify for the Champions League.

Presumably if Arsenal qualify then the striker will want to join the red and white half of North London.

So what is really going on? I wonder if the Vila rumour is similar to supposed Arsenal deals for Higuain and Jovetic.

Maybe agreements have been signed but are only going to be activated if the club achieves Champions League football.

Both Arsenal and Spurs will need to announce some big transfers on Monday to ensure that, in these recessionary times, those wavering over renewing their season tickets cough up the cash.

Personally I think Villa is too old and out of form for £15 million. What do you think?



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Arsenal update: David Villa, Lukasz Piszczek, Julian Draxler

By Stefano on May 10th, 2013
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Another of the winter’s main targets for Arsene Wenger is back in the news again. Barca’s David Villa is the subject of much speculation this morning as it was revealed that he allegedly had one one foot at Arsenal in the winter.

Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo claims that the North Londoners had offered £8.5m for the 31-year-old, but the La Liga leaders wanted a larger sum. Villa was so keen to leave that he even offered to negotiate part of the deal himself.

Ultimately Barca decided that they needed the 31 year old for their domestic and European campaigns and he stayed.

Villa has had a disappointing end to his season with poor personal form as well as Barca’s undignified Champions League exit. He is still likely to leave Barca at the end of the season, but whether Arsene Wenger re-ignites his interest in the player is another matter.

A couple of sources have reiterated that Arsene Wenger has his sights on a new right back in case Bacary Sagna decides to leave the club in the summer. The Mail reports that the club are after Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek as a potential replacement for Sagna after the Frenchman refused to sign a one year contract extension.

The 27 year old Pole has been in excellent form this season, but doubts remain over whether Dortmund will let yet another star player leave.

Finally one player who seemingly isn’t Emirates-bound is Schalke’s Julian Draxler. Yesterday the 19 year old signed a deal with the German club that will take him through until 2018.



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Is the David Villa to Arsenal story dead if Barca offer him a new contract?

By Stefano on March 18th, 2013
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The Daily Mail this morning is running with a story that Barcelona are about to offer Arsenal target David Villa a new contract. The 31 year old was hankering for a move in the transfer window as injuries had pushed him down the Catalan club’s pecking order.

However after some excellent recent performances the club have decided that they want the striker to stay at the Nou Camp and the Mail says that a contract extension – his contract expires in 14 months is on the cards.

So should Arsenal fans be concerned? I don’t think so.

Villa would have been a superb addition to the squad on loan during the winter window and I think his goals would have guaranteed a CL placing for the Gunners. However the team needs some new younger striking blood, and as he is likely to be priced out of Napoli’s Edinson Cavani Arsene Wenger has identified Fiorentina’s 23 year old Stevan Jevetic as a more suitable long term replacement for Robin Van Persie.

I think the door on the Villa transfer for Arsen Wenger shut over a month ago. Besides if Arsenal fail to quality for the Champions League I can’t imagine that Villa would sign anyhow.

Of course the story may have more twists and turns, especially if Vila is dropped again.

But I don’t think Wenger cares too greatly now anyhow.



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Too late for Arsenal? David Villa told he can leave Barcelona by club’s VP

By Stefano on February 26th, 2013
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Here is yet another thing guaranteed to set Arsene Wenger’s teeth on edge this morning. After spending days chasing the player in the transfer window only to be told that the club wouldn’t let him go, it now transpires that Barcelona are willing to let David Villa leave.

Talk Sports is reporting that he will not be kept at Barcelona against his wishes, according to the club’s vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.’

As you may remember Wenger was desperate to sign Villa in the window and it is pretty clear that Arsenal’s lack of firepower (and the not too clinical finishing from Gervinho and Giroud) might be the thing that prevents them from securing a Champions League qualification place.

Talk Sports says that

In an interview with BTV, Bartomeu said: “The coaches hope he is here next season but we will not retain any player that is uncomfortable. In that case, we will talk to him to seek a solution.”

So are Arsenal likely to renew their interest in Vila in the summer? I wouldn’t have thought so. He would have been a perfect fit at a time when the club had a very real (and still unaddressed) problem. Come the summer and Wenger will have a lot of other options to look at (Jovetić, Cavani, Benteke) and a player who is pushing 32 and has been wracked by injuries probably isn’t going to top his list.

He might want Champions League football too – and that may or may not be an issue for Arsenal.



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Rumours of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona? The Arsenal captain’s curse again!?

By Stefano on February 18th, 2013
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Here’s an interesting question for Arsenal fans. Would you cash in Thomas Vermaelen for a Barca player or two?

Well that’s the rumour that has been picked up the Daily Mirror which suggests that the Catalans are lining up the Arsenal defender as a replacement for Eric Abidal who is unlikely to return to to-level footballer after his illnesses.

In return The Mirror suggest that Arsenal will be offered several Barca players including David Villa.

The paper says

Wenger has gone cold on the idea of signing Barcelona striker David Villa. However, the Spanish giants will try to reignite his interest if it will help get a deal for Vermaelen done.

Barcelona have already put around £40million aside for new signings in the summer and that pot will grow if they can offload Villa, versatile defender and midfielder Adriano and young forward Cristian Tello.

Vermaelen, 27, is under contract at Arsenal until October 2015.

So Arsenal fans what do you think? Might this be a sensible move for Arsene Wenger? It is clear that Thomas Vermaelen isn’t the commanding figure he was a couple of seasons back. There are even those who think that the Arsenal captain isn’t part of the best defensive pairing which they believe to be Mertesacker and Koscielny.

Then again it would be tough to replace a player with his skill and experience.

It is interesting too that this could end up being another example of the curse of being captain, for several players that Wenger has given that role to has left the club not too long after.



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Arsenal update: Wenger’s press conference has injury news (Gibbs/Wilshere), update on Villa and more

By Stefano on February 15th, 2013
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Arsene Wenger had a pretty busy time of it this morning at the Arsenal press conference fielding questions about upcoming games against Blackburn and Bayern as well as the future of Santos, Villa and more.

Firstly on the injuries, Wenger revealed there was a possibility that Kieran Gibbs could be back in time for the game against Bayern

‘Kieran has a small chance to be fit for the second match against Bayern’

But he also cast doubt on the fitness of Jack Wilshere

‘I will not take a risk [with his fitness], with the rest of the season in mind and what happened before’

As for the game against Blackburn Wenger confirmed

‘The players who will not start are the players who have played many games recently. We are favourites, Blackburn have nothing to lose and they have a squad of Premier League players’

As for Villa, Wenger said

‘I am not on the case. I like the player but at the moment we have some immediate targets’

The door is however still open for Andre Santos

‘Of course he can have a future at Arsenal. That depends as well on the ins and outs during the summer. ‘He moved because he lost a little bit of confidence and he needs to play’

So what do you make of that lot then?

Well it seems that Arsene is focusing much more on the game against Bayern than Blackburn and that Saturday could see some fringe players – Miquel, Rosicky, maybe even Arshavin – get a game.

As for Bayern, the news that Gibbs might be fit is hugely encouraging for Gunners fans. Wenger would have to play Thomas Vermaelen in the left back berth and he is also struggling to get fit.

Personally I think that the comment on Santos makes sense. He has been a good player before, but clearly has struggled this season. He wouldn’t be the first Arsenal player ever to have a drop off in from.

As for Villa, that door it still open, but if I were a betting man the money would be on a younger striker arriving in the summer

 



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Football

Arsenal update: Barcelona want €20m for David Villa. Is he too expensive now?

By Stefano on February 14th, 2013
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Is this the end of the David Vila to Arsenal story? It certainly feels as if it might be that way.

Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, which has been reported in the UK here, has stated that Barca have put a €20m price tag of their star striker – way more than the £10m (€11.5m) that Arsenal were reported to have bid in the transfer window.

So if Arsenal want to land the striker they will have to smash their transfer record to secure a player who will be 32 in December.

There’s still plenty of the season left and Villa may yet platy an important tole for the Catalan club’s bid for La Liga and The Champions League, but if that is not the case the striker, who has struggled with injuries, is very likely to push for a transfer.

The player was apparently very keen to move to London, but the chances of him becoming a Gunner now see remote. It could be a last desperate attempt by Barca to get as much money for the player as possible, so it will be fascinating to see how clubs respond.

Wenger has recently reiterated that he is looking at many strikers across Europe and that Stevan Jovetic, who is also interesting Man City is likely to be his number on target.



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Will Arsenal lose out on David Villa if they don’t quality for the Champions League?

By Stefano on February 5th, 2013
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As Arsenal fans don’t need reminding they are currently in sixth in the Premiership and are four points behind Spurs in fourth. Yet many supporters share Arsene Wenger’s confidence that the club will once again qualify for the Champions League.

Many pundits are backing the Gunners too with Mark Lawrenson also confident that Arsenal will see off their rivals.

The penalty for not qualifying would be primarily financial – Arsenal could lose out on £20 million plus of revenue – however it will also affect the club’s ambition to attract big name players, and this in spite of the new tranche of sponsorship money they have secured.

The club are mulling over a bid for Barcelona’s David Villa in the summer. But will he come if there’s no guarantee of Champions League Football? As Spanish paper AS (picked up by Sports Witness here) points out today he could join Atletico Madrid (as a replacement for Falcao who is expected to leave the club in the summer) be guaranteed Champions League football and keep his young family in Spain.

AS journalist Juan Casanez confirms that there was contact between Arsenal and David Villa this winter but says that now that deal didn’t happen there are more options on the table. Atletico Madrid will likely be looking for a Falcao replacement and Villa will be a much cheaper option to Luis Suarez, or even Edin Dzeko. The newspaper says that Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Caminero was in contact with Villa’s agents during the transfer window, with a view to the summer.

Not only are Atletico more likely to qualify for the Champions League, they are also able to offer Villa the chance to stay in Spain with his young family. His wife recently gave birth to the couple’s first son and they have two young daughters, the attraction of remaining in the country is something that AS think will be another advantage.

Arsenal might also find themselves chasing players who are also fancied by Spurs and if Tottenham have the CL slot then they will clearly have an edge over their North London rivals. For example would world class centre backs like Mats Hummels and Fernando Amorebieta join the club? Probably not.

It is worth pointing out that both Liverpool and Spurs have signed world class players without a CL qualification (Suarez being the classic example) but when it comes to top stars, or players in the twilight of their career like David Villa, CL qualification is a given.

 



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So who else did Arsenal try to sign on the last day of the window? Villa? Traore? Capoue?

By Stefano on February 3rd, 2013
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As well as the signing of Nacho Monreal Arsene Wenger admitted that Arsenal got pretty close to grabbing another player on the last day of the window. However that player’s club refused to let the player go and the deal fell through.

So who was that player? It was assumed initially to be either Barcelona’s David Villa or West Ham’s Mohamed Diame, but now it appears that it might not have been either of them.

The Villa deal was quite possibly dead several days before the end of the window and although Wenger was making all the right noises about Diame it seems like he changed his mind about the player and didn’t actually make a bid for him.

One other theory that has been advanced is that Arsenal were close to signing Lorient forward Alain Traore but pulled out because the player sustained a thigh injury.

Several sources now claim that player that Wenger got close to signing was in fact Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue

TalkSport said yesterday.

The France international had been linked with a switch to England throughout January, with Everton and Fulham joining Arsenal in the pursuit.

And while Wenger landed Nacho Monreal from Malaga, he was also busy trying to sign Capoue but was thwarted as the Ligue 1 club refused to talk.

The 24-year-old’s agent Mino Raiola told L’Equipe: “The Toulouse president didn’t need to sell during this window. The asking price was a barrier every time.”

Well it certainly sounds plausible. Arsenal have been linked to Capoue for a long time. He is also exactly the type of combative midfielder the club needs to add some steel in front of the defence. Moving for Capoue would also explain why Wenger suddenly cooled on Diame.

In fact he must have been very keen on Capoue as he would have probably cost twice the amount that Arsenal would have paid West ham for Diame.

Ultimately though the failure to sign anyone – part from the excellent emergency left back – is a poor reflection on the Gunners’ management team. To have 31 days to sort out reinforcements only for the deal for your favoured player to be scuppered on the last day because the player’s club don’t actually want to sell, sounds very poor planning



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Bit late – David Villa wants Arsenal move in the Summer

By Stefano on February 3rd, 2013
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If you thought you had heard the last of the David Vila to Arsenal stories now the window has closed – think again. The Sun  is running with a story today that suggests that Barcelona’s want-away striker will push the deal through in the summer.

The Sun says

After a long-term injury last season, Villa has failed to command a first-team place at Barca this term.

He has made just 15 competitive starts — yet still scored 10 goals.

Now the Spain striker wants to be with a team where he will once again be the main man. Villa earns around £110,000 a week at the Nou Camp, so his wages will not cripple the Londoners financially.

The key issue now though for Wenger is whether he thinks Villa has a long term future as a top-level striker.

Villa would have been an ideal signing in the winter – maybe even on loan – to add firepower to the Gunners and help secure a Champions league slot. But a longer term agreement would represent more of a gamble for the London club.

Of course a great deal could happen before the summer. Villa could re-establish himself in the Barca team and Arsenal may become a less desirable destination if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Also, until recently Arsenal were not in the habit of offering long term contracts to players over 29. They amended this slightly when signing Mikkel Arteta in 2011 and also making it clear that they would offer an extended deal to Robin Van Persie.

So has Arsene Wenger changed his mind? Not according to The People who have a story that Arsenal have given up their pursuit of Villa and will concentrate on young players in the summer.

The winner is all this is Olivier Giroud. The French striker has been in excellent form of late in scoring nine goals in 24 games. However some Arsenal supporters think that with a sharper more clinical finisher leading the line Arsenal would be scoring twice as many goals given the large number of chances that Cazorla, Walcott and Wilshere are creating.

So do Arsenal need Villa anyway?



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Arsenal update: Odds on Villa coming shorten, news on left backs, Arshavin exit, and a centre back

By Stefano on January 31st, 2013
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Well it looked at one point as if the big Arsenal story would be the signings of David Villa and Mohammed Diame.

A number of sources are suggesting that Arsenal are still talking to Barcelona about Villa.  Also agent Sky Andrew, who has reasonably close links with the club, has told Talk Sport to expect a few big surprises later in the day.

Interestingly at the time of writing he is 11/8 here to sign – and those odds have shortened significantly from 100-30 which they were a few hours ago. Mind you they are 2-1 for him joining Man City.

Don’t hold your breath though.

As for a left back – well take your pick. Malaga’s Nacho Monreal has been mentioned as has Valenciennes’ Gaetan Bong. Weirdly both have played alongside current Arsenal team members. Maybe Arsene had a word after the Liverpool game and asked who the team rated?

One other possible target is Marseille defender Nicolas N’Koulou. Goal thinks that Arsene might sign him and choose to play Thomas Vermaelen at left back.

Finally Russian paper Izvestia is suggesting that Harry Redknapp has tabled a take it or leave it offer with Andrei Arshavin. The player, who is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season could join QPR on a deal based on the number of games he plays.



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Arsenal update: All quiet, but for one last push for David Villa or Edin Džeko?

By Stefano on January 31st, 2013
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After a game in which Arsenal created a huge number of chances only to see many of them squandered by their current striker you might have thought that Arsene Wenger would be combing Europe for reinforcements. Well Wenger said after the game last night

“We will try to be active. It won’t be easy but at the moment I have nothing to give to you unfortunately.”

This does however tantalisingly suggest that the Arsenal fax might get a bit of a whizz today and that it is pointing in the direction of Barcelona.

Whether it is hearsay, or maybe that they have ruin with the story so long, a couple of sources are suggesting that Arsenal will have one last crack at persuading the Catalans to part with David Villa.

It is a move that Vila is keen on and that would suit Arsenal too, but the fact that there are only a few hours left would suggest a lot of work would have to be done very quickly to push it through. And that would have to start with a change of heart from Barca’s management team.

The Metro suggests that Wenger will add left back to cover for Kieran Gibbs who will be out for three weeks with a thigh injury.

Meanwhile the talk of The Emirates last night was that Edin Džeko was once again a target. Even though Balotelli is gone Mancini appears to be looking to offload the Bosnian and several German clubs are interested in the player.

Wenger, however likes a last minute trolley dash – remember how many players Arsenal signed at the window’s end in August 2011? – so who knows what will happen today.



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Arsenal update: one last try to sign David Villa, but now Man City want him too

By Stefano on January 30th, 2013
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In what is perhaps the most predictable news of the day The Daily Mail is running with the story that after crisis talks with Ivan Gazidis Arsene Wenger is going to have one last try to sign David Villa in the window.

The Mail says

Arsenal remain in pursuit of Barcelona striker Villa, despite Wenger insisting yesterday that a potential deal for the Spaniard was dead in the water.

The Gunners will make a final offer to Barca chiefs in the next 24 hours in a bid to bring him to the Emirates, with Villa understood to be keen to join the Gunners.

The trouble for Wenger is that he might have to think about upping his bid a little to stave off a possible challenge for the player from the newly minted Man City. With the best part of £20 million jingling in his pocket Roberto Mancini needs another striker to replace Mario Balotelli and according to the Mirror David Villa more than fits the bill.

The Mirror says

The Mirror has learned that City have already made an inquiry about Villa, with a view to rushing through a deal before Thursday night’s transfer deadline.

City boss Roberto Mancini wants to bring his quota of senior strikers back to four after finally getting rid of Balotelli and sees Villa as the ideal recruit.

Ex-Barca officials Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, now City’s chief executive and sporting director respectively, could use their contacts at their former club to help seal a deal.

Although Barca do not want to sell Villa, Eastlands bosses are hoping an offer of £15m could tempt them to part with the 31-year-old, who has a poor injury record.

If City are serious their deep financial reserves and their relationships with Barcelona would seem to put them in pole position. In Arsenal’s favour Villa is alleged to favour a move to London and they are also owed a significant amount of cash by Barca for the Song and Fabregas deals.

How galling would that be for Arsenal fans? Lose a load of players to City and then they grab your top transfer target.

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again – this one is going to to the wire.



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Wenger says Barcelona don’t want to sell Villa to Arsenal

By Stefano on January 29th, 2013
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Bad news for Arsenal fans. Arsene Wenger has revealed during his press conference this morning that David Villa is unlikely to join Arsenal during the transfer window as the Catalans aren’t prepared to sell their star striker.

In spite of Villa being keen to join Arsenal and Wenger being keen on the player, the Gunners boss said

‘Barcelona do not want to sell David Villa, they have made that very, very clear.’

David Villa’s wife gave birth to their third child last night, a boy named Luca, which may complicate any possible move.

Given the way that Arsenal have undertaken negotiations in the past though I wouldn’t completely rule it out until midnight on Thursday.

At the same conference Wenger also ruled out signing David Beckham who has been training with the Arsenal team.



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