Arsenal
Transfer News: Chelsea Join Arsenal In Race For Spanish Striker
Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race to sign out-of-favour Barcelona striker David Villa, who’s struggled to regain his first-team place after a leg break.
Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, Chelsea are linked with David Villa.
Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Barcelona striker David Villa, according to the Daily Mail.
The report claims the Blues are looking at the possibility of signing the 31-year-old on loan until the end of the season as this wouldn’t interfere with their long-term pursuit of Radamel Falcao – who they believe they could land in the summer.
The Mail suggest Arsenal are also interested in Villa but he would represent a short-term solution for Chelsea’s shortage of options in attack. It’s also understood his £100,000-a-week wages wouldn’t be a problem for Chelsea to afford and while he’s cup-tied to play in the Champions League during the second half of the season, he would be free to play in the Europa League with the Blues should he make the move to West London next month.
Villa has struggled to regain his first team place at Barcelona after recovering from a broken leg and hasn’t started a league game since mid-November.
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The former Valencia man’s quality is undeniable but I think it’s fair to say he may never be the same player he was before his leg break seven months age. However, he’s still a huge goal threat and has managed 5 goals in 12 games this season despite his bit-part role at the Nou Camp.
I would love to see the Spanish hitman come to the Premier League and he would fit in well at either Arsenal or Chelsea. Both clubs are in need of more options up front and if Barcelona are willing to let Villa go, even on a short-term loan deal, he would be something of a coup if either London club were able to pull it off.
Personally I can’t see the Catalans allowing him to leave in January but let’s see what happens when the window opens in a few days time.
Would you like to see Villa come to your club? Get involved in the comments section below.
