CITY TO LAND £52M VILLA
Mark Hughes will sign Valencia striker in January
DAVID VILLA’S record £52million switch to Manchester City will move a step closer when his agent jets into England this week.
The Valencia striker will be City’s first world-class signing in January when the transfer window opens.
City boss Mark Hughes has targeted tha will join Robinho as the Premier League’s top wage earner on £160,000-a-week as City’s Abu Dhabi owners make good on their promise to buy the world’s best.
Reports in Spain claimed City representatives have met twice met with Villa’s agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, in Madrid to discuss the move.
Villa, who turned 27 on Wednesday, has a £125m compensation clause built into his contract at Valencia but the club are so cash-strapped they have been forced to waive that in the face of City’s interest.
And while he signed a new contract in the summer which ties him to Valencia until 2014, he knows he has no option but to move on.
Impressed
He said: “I will stay at Valencia for as long as the president wants me. If he tells me I have to be sold to save the club, then that is his decision and I’ll look for a fresh challenge.”
Villa was the top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals and is also second top scorer in La Liga behind Samuel Eto’o.
A source close to the deal said: “It is clear City need a world-class striker and Villa fits the bill.
“The Arabs have been impressed with him and Mark Hughes is convinced he will do well in English football.
"His agent will Be flying in on Tuesday and There Is Every Chance talks and a deal Will Be Concluded by the end of the week."
