Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed the club have
lodged a bid of over €40million with Valencia for striker
David Villa.
A host of top clubs have been chasing Villa this summer, with
Barca understood to have been locked in talks with Los Che
for the past few weeks.
Real Madrid have already pulled out of the race to sign the
27-year-old forward, saying the price was too high.
Chelsea and Manchester United are both still interested, but
Villa's preference is a move to either Real or Barca.
He recently called for a resolution to the situation, with the
La Liga season fast approaching.
Now Laporta has confirmed Barcelona want to take him to the Camp
Nou. He said: "He's (Villa) a player we're interested in, and we
made a good bid for him, closer to €40 million than
€50million."
Laporta also confirmed Barca would attempt to sign
Franck Ribery,
should Bayern Munich decide to sell: "He's (Ribery) a player we are
interested in at a logical price. But Bayern don't want to sell.
Although if they are interested in selling, we are interested (in
buying). We need small adjustments; a left back, a central
defender, a midfielder and a forward."
The Samuel Eto'o situation is no closer to being resolved,
Laporta said. The Cameroon striker has been offered a two-year
contract extension but has yet to respond, while Manchester City
have put in an offer for him.
"I have called him a couple of times but he hasn't answered his
mobile," Laporta said. "I don't know if he has changed the number
or whether he's lost it, but I would like to speak to him."
The Barca president also said there is no way
Lionel Messi will
be leaving the club: "I love him a lot! He wouldn't leave Barcelona
for any price. We are not selling, he has a clause of €150million,
but more than that there his commitment to the club."
Laporta confirmed manager Pep Guardiola only has one-year left
on his contract, but insisted both parties were content: "He's got
a contract until the end of the season and he likes this
situation."