David Villa Latest: Arsenal Lodge £8m Offer – Man City Willing To Pay £15m

With the January transfer window now open for business we’ll be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer gossip. Today, competition heats up for David Villa.

Contrasting reports today regarding the future of David Villa with the Times claiming Arsenal have submitted an £8m bid but the Mirror believe the Gunners will now face competition from champions Manchester City for the Barcelona striker.

The Spanish hitman has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp this month after failing to regain his place in the Barca first team following a spell on the sidelines with a broken leg.

The Times claim Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is looking to add a top quality striker to is squad before Thursday’s transfer deadline, and is understood to have made Villa his first choice and opened the bidding with an £8m offer on Tuesday night.

However, it looks like the Gunners aren’t going to have a clear run at Villa with the Mirror claiming Manchester City have made an approach of their own for the Spaniard with the Premier League champions looking to replace Mario Balotelli – who is on his way to AC Milan.

The report believes City may try and use former Barca officials Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain – who are now part of City’s executive team – to help seal a deal for Villa and they’re willing to pay up to £15m to land the striker this month.

Read more Arsenal transfer news | Man City transfer news

If these reports are true they are interesting, if not highly predictable, developments. Arsenal put in a derisory low bid only to be blown out the water by their more financially powerful rivals. Who didn’t see this coming?!

Although, I’m not entirely sold on the Mirror’s take on things to be honest. I think it’s a little ‘coincidental’. They agree to sell Balotelli and hours later the paper claims City have already moved for Villa. Sounds a bit like they’ve put 2 and 2 together and got 5 if you ask me.

Personally, I see the Times as a far more reputable newspaper so I wouldn’t be giving up hope just yet Gooners. But I think we’ll have to up the £8m bid if we’re to have any chance of persuading Barcelona to selling the 31-year-old. Not long to go….

What do Arsenal and City fans make of these reports? Get involved in the comments section below.