Florentino Perez claims it is only "a question of
time" before Real Madrid sign David Villa - as the capture of
Cristiano Ronaldo edges closer.
With the services of £56million playmaker Kaka already
secured and an agreement in place with Manchester United for the
£80million signing of Ronaldo, Madrid now appear to be closing in
on Villa.
Madrid are one of a number of clubs being linked to the vaunted
striker, but talks between them and cash-strapped Valencia broke
down last weekend and Los Che president Manuel Llorente revealed on
Tuesday that there were no existing bids on the table for the
27-year-old.
However, Perez was quoted as telling Canal Nou on Thursday:
"Manuel Llorente knows what he wants to do. Us as well. For that
the operation is a question of time.
"Everything must be done in a friendly and co-operative way and
we have very good relations with Valencia. Things need to be done
calmly, be explained well and so that everybody is happy.
"We have the whole of the summer ahead of us."
Perez insists, however, the fee
they are willing to pay for Villa will not be in the same bracket
as the ones they agreed for Kaka and Ronaldo.
"Players like Cristiano Ronaldo
and Kaka, who are Ballon d'Or or FIFA World Player of the Year
winners, are players that are called investment players," he
said.
"Real Madrid cannot pay these
quantities of money for every player. This is not to put down
Villa.
"Players who have won these awards have an international
impact.
"I think Villa is an excellent player, but he is a footballer
who we have to accommodate into our project."
Perez's comments come just a day after Villa confirmed he had
made up his mind about where he wants to be playing his club
football next season.
Villa revealed after starring for Spain in the Confederations
Cup that he had already taken a decision about his future and said
that his agent was working on achieving that aim.
The striker, who has also reportedly attracted the interest of
Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea, did not reveal what his
decision was, but Spanish sports newspapers Marca and AS both
believe it is Madrid who are his top choice.
While it remains to be seen when Madrid can complete their chase
for the Euro 2008 winner, Ronaldo's world-record switch from United
could have moved a step closer with Spanish media reporting that
his agent Jorge Mendes was at the Bernabeu on Wednesday to finalise
contract details.
The reports also suggest that Ronaldo could undergo his medical
with Madrid next week before being presented at the end of the
month, although there is nothing official from the club yet
regarding the Portugal international.
teamtalk.
