Chelsea rush to beat Man City for £40m David Villa as
Valencia chief quits amid cash crisis
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Chelsea have reportedly made a £40million offer for Valencia
striker David Villa in an attempt to see off competition from
Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Skipper John Terry has
urged the club to go for Spain’s star of Euro 2008 and Frank
Lampard yesterday called on the club to sign a creative striker who
can work with Didier Drogba or Nicolas Anelka.
Stamford Bridge owner Roman Abramovich is also understood to be
a fan and reports in Spain say the club have made their move
following the resignation of Valencia president Vicente Soriano
last night.
Madrid president Florentino Perez this week indicated he was
interested in both Villa and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan,
the former Manchester United striker who has just won Europe’s
Golden Boot.
But Madrid are understood to have told Valencia they will not go
above £32m for 27-year-old Villa as this is the value of Forlan’s
release clause.
Chelsea apparent offer is therefore a statement of intent,
though they may have trouble convincing him to leave Spain with
Bernabeu sources are convinced he will be joining them next
season.
The west London club have already missed out to Madrid for the
signing of AC Milan star Kaka, who will be confirmed as the Spanish
side’s player next week.
The signing of Villa is understood to have been approved by new
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and director of youth development
Frank Arnesen.