Friday, 15th February, 2013
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has added fuel to the fire of talk of a swoop for Barcelona striker David Villa by admitting he rates the Spain international.
The Gunners were strongly linked with the 31-year-old during last month’s transfer window, but Barcelona were determined not to lose Villa mid-season.
The summer though will present the chance to buy Villa, and Barcelona have indicated that €20M could be enough for an interested party to snap up the striker, who is concerned about playing time for 2013/14 in the run-up to the 2014 World Cup.
And Wenger admits to liking Villa, although he does stress he has more immediate targets on his list first.
"I am not on the case", he told his morning press conference, via his club’s feed.
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"I like the player, but at the moment we have some immediate targets."
Villa is believed to be open to a switch to the Emirates Stadium, if Arsenal can agree a fee with Barcelona for his services.
The former Valencia hitman has started just eight games for Barcelona in La Liga this season, while he has also only featured off the bench in four of five Champions League matches.
His contract at the Camp Nou runs until 2014.
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