Personally, I think it's bollocks. No way would Levy sanction paying that, or anything close, for a 31yr old. Then there's the small matter of his wages!...
He's also only got one more year left on his contract. Compare to RVP who also only had a year left. He cost 22.5m (now gone up to 24 since Man Utd won the title). But RVP was two years younger and was a proven force in the Premiership. I can see where Barca are coming from if they value him at 12m - the guy's absolute class. But I can sort of imagine Levy feeling perfectly OK by starting negotiations with: "How does four million sound?". Or structure the deal so that Barca get good money IF we get CL next year and other bonuses (appearances etc). He really does have an incredible scoring record - from 2001 to 2011 he scored twenty a season every year. even last two years his record is P 24, G9 and P37 G15.
This is what I thought about a week ago NSIS, but it's gathering pace now. if say we get the price down to £10m, it's worth it if he's gonna bang 20 odd goals a season. It's the difference for us at the moment. £10 mill invested, £30m back when we make the CL... and the ability to then be able to attract more players. - a decent knock on effect! even if we only get 2 seasons out of him, it could be money well spent. like Lenny says, 9 goals in 24 games is decent, especially for someone who isn't exactly the first name on the team sheet. There's 4 assists to add to that too. - This shows that when he plays, he delivers. It's hard for players who are in and out of the team to find form, which indicates just how good Villa is. I'd still want us to be getting a youngster in too though, to learn from him.
Graham Hunter thinks it could be for real and that it's between us and Woolwich-it would be good if he chose us. I don't think 31 is too old-he could easily give 4 or 5 years at the top.
I'm glad this is catching on If we sign him we should all do cat impressions when he touches the ball. Would confuse MOTD for sure.
I'm unsure. He was absolutely class but the last 2 seasons have left a question mark over his head. If we could get him for £8-9m and wages that don't break our structure then go for it. Its not just the stuff he does on the pitch, i'm sure a lot of our youngsters would learn from him in training. If said youngsters aren't gonna participate next season we should also be looking at one or two 20-22yr olds in the <£10m bracket also.
I'd cream my pants if we got Villa. Maybe 31 but still easily one of Europe's best finishers. Apparently Cadena SER is quite a good source of info in Spain so maybe the story has legs?
one of them in this Ante Rebic apparently. It's just the payment structure to sort out from what I've been reading...
Tello - yes please!! Villa - £8m might be worth it, but as Spurm rightly says, he has not been the same player since returning from the broken leg and at times he has shown a distinct lack of confidence (another Torres, anyone???). His scoring record is still strong admittedly, but that is of course for a Barca team who for all their CL problems are still the dominant domestic force. And as mentioned previously, his wages are going to be another issue for us as well I would imagine. But apart from that......
Not seen the link with Tello before. Looks a great prospect, doubt Barca would let him go. Sergi Roberto is one of the Barca players we've been linked with. Don't know much about him apart from that the media outlet said he was Modric-esque.
Quite surprised some of you are dubious about Villa's potential arrival. The guy is a proven goal scorer at all his clubs, Spain's record goal scorer and is playing for one of the best teams in Europe at the moment where he'll be overshadowed by the worlds best player. Need to remember, everyone at Barca looks for Messi, everywhere else Villa has been, his teams have used him as their main outlet and he's not disappointed. Similar to Zlatan a couple seasons back, everywhere he's been he was "The Man", went Barca and despite having a decent goal record, was over shadowed by Messi (plus seemed to have arguments with Pep) and after a season he was gone. Strikers at Barcelona will always be over shadowed by Messi, regardless of how good they are. Barca have been able to sell Eto'o, Zlatan and now Villa could be on his way, all 3 are some of the best strikers to have graced the game.
I wouldn't disagree with a lot of what you say, Lenny & Roo. I just can't see Levy going for it, UNLESS he can get him substantially cheaper. Once again, wages could be a big stumbling block.
"I'm glad this is catching on" Which offers up : Spur<cat> brings in Da<meow> Who needs the dogs' b-llocks when you have Da<meow> ??
