Tuesday, 29th January, 2013
Arsenal are ready to pay €12M for Barcelona striker David Villa before the transfer window slams shut, according to Spanish daily AS.
The Gunners have been consistently linked with Villa this month, despite Barcelona repeatedly indicating that he will stay put at the Camp Nou.
Arsenal are firming that interest up though by letting it be known that they will pay €12M for the 31-year-old, which may cause Barcelona to re-think their stance.
Villa has struggled to command a regular first team spot at Barcelona since he suffered a broken leg in December 2011, at the FIFA Club World Cup.
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The former Valencia man is understood to be open to moving to the Emirates Stadium.
Villa wants to push his case for inclusion in Vicente del Bosque’s Spain squad that will contest the Confederations Cup this coming summer, and regular first team football at Arsenal would help.
However, it is also clear that Villa has a number of other admirers, who want him on their books for next season.
At €12M though, Arsenal would consider snaring Villa to be something of a coup, if Barcelona will sell at this late hour in the transfer window.
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