Decisive day for transfer of Mata

With a meeting between Juan Manuel Mata, the father and agent of Valencia left wing attacker and Spanish international Juan Mata (21), coming up later today, this Friday is expected to be a decisive day for a possible transfer of Mata to Barcelona (read more here).

Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claims that, if the player and the club won't be able to find an agreement on a contract renewal, Mata will ask the club for a transfer. All media agree that Barcelona will make a bid of 18 million euro° today and that Valencia president Llorente would have promised Juan Manuel Mata to let the Spanish attacker leave for that sum.

Spanish radio station Radio Marca claims that Valencia will accept to sell Mata. The club would still have to pay 15 per cent of the players' salaries from last season and would therefore be forced to sell one of their top player this summer. Barcelona is reported to be willing to make a bid of more than 20 million euro°.

Read more:
Mata offer to be presented tomorrow
Mascherano, Chygrynskiy, Mata: Two out of three

Mata offer to be presented tomorrow

Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claims that Juan Manuel Mata, the father and agent of Spanish international Juan Mata (21), will tomorrow present Valencia an offer of Barcelona.

Mata will tomorrow meet with Valencia offials to disccus the player's contract renewal and to analyse the offer of Barcelona. The agent would inform the club, on behalf of Barcelona, about a bid of 18 million euro°.

Asked about the rumours linking Mata with a move to Barcelona, Valencia sport director Fernando Gómez said yesterday in an interview with Valencia regional radio station Punto Radio that the club doesn't plan to let the Spanish winger go: "Mata is one of those players we cannot let go, he should stay with the team for some more years. And I think he will stay at Valencia. But we will listen to everybody and who knows someone will come with a scandalously scandalous offer.

The renewal talks are the responsibility of the board but I want to make clear that he already received an important pay rise. Like his contract stated, his initial salary of 600 000 euro plus incentives was raised from the moment he had played fifty games with us, something that happned last season. Now we will talk about raising the contract again a little, and I actually think that would be a logical thing after his recent performances."

Read more:
Mata could buy his freedom
Mascherano, Chygrynskiy, Mata: Two out of three

Agent Mata confirms Barcelona interest

Asked about the rumours linking Valencia left wing attacker and Spanish international Juan Mata (21) with a move to Barcelona (read more here), the player's father and agent Juan Manuel Mata has confirmed the interest in an interview with Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo:

"I know about the interest of Barça because Valencia president Llorente told me about it. He said that both Barça and Madrid want him but that he's not going to sell. But in football, things can change in a week or in one day. As far as I know there could have been a joint bid for Villa and Mata and individual bids for each of them. That's what it seems like to me.

I've also been a football player and I can assure you that every player would like to play in a top team where they can win everything. And everybody also wants to get a better financial deal. I don't want to talk about the last renewal offer we received from Valencia, otherwise I could say stupid things."

* Juan Manuel Mata repeated in an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser that Barcelona has made two concrete offers: "I know of the interest of Barça because Valencia confirmed this to me. But the club says they won't sell to anybody. They're not willing to listen to offers for their players, and certainly not for Mata. Now there seem to be a new offer. The first one was an offer for him and Villa and now there's one only for him."

Asked about the first renewal offer he yesterday received from Valencia, Juan Manuel Mata said in an interview with Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias that this offer is clearly not enough: "It's not at all what we thought it would be, although I want to stress that the boy is feeling very comfortable and happy in Valencia. I'll meet with Valencia next weeek to discuss things." *

Read more:
Valencia rejects offers for Mata
Next season's team (3)
Van Persie, Malouda and Mata next on the list

Meeting with Villa

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona yesterday held a meeting with Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (28).

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristiain and Barcelona director of football Raúl Sanllehí would have travelled to Asturias, a region in the north of Spain where Villa grew up and where he's on holiday after the Confederations Cup, to talk with the player and his agent José Luis Tamargo about a possible transfer.

Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claims that the meeting took place at the Real Balneario restaurant in Salinas, ten minutes away from Villa's hometown Avilés. Tamargo came first to discuss the contract, Villa joined in later. Barcelona reportedly assured the player that they'll give everything to sign him.

El Mundo Deportivo claims that a personal deal with the player would be almost closed, with only the duration of the contract – four or five years – left to be decided upon. Las Provincias claims that Villa would have personal agreements with both Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign a five-year deal worth 5,5 million euro net a year.

Barcelona now reportedly invited the player to inform his club that he wants to join Barcelona. Catalan sport paper Sport claims that Tamargo will travel to Valencia in the coming hours to talk with Valencia president Manuel Llorente. Villa would only have two options: staying at Valencia or moving to Barcelona.

Las Provincias claims that Valencia is only willing to let Villa go if a bid of 50 million euro° comes in, while El Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona would already have made a bid of 45 million euro°. Sport claims that Barcelona is willing to pay 40 million euro°.

Asked about the situation of Villa, Valencia president Llorente told journalists yesterday that nothing has changed: "We didn't receive any new offers and the club didn't reconsider the fact that the palyer is not for sale. I can tell you the same thing as I tell my neighbours, my children and my friends: Villa is a Valencia player."

Read more:
Barcelona prepares final offer for Villa
Hacker of the day: Nemesis1
Barcelona could include Keirrison in Villa deal

Barcelona makes new bid for Villa

Several Spanish media report that the interest of Barcelona in Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (28) is back on and that the player wants to join Barcelona next season.

Spanish radio station Onda Cero claims that Barcelona has made a bid of 35-40 mlillion euro°. Barcelona president Joan Laporta, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would also all three have contacted Villa to say that they were counting on him and asking him to be patient.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona will offer 42 million euro° plus 3 million euro° in incentives. There would have been intense contact with the player's agent José Luis Tamargo over the last days and there is reportedly a deal on the basic elements of a contract.

Catalan spotrs paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona will start with an offer of 40 million euro° but would be prepared to raise that to 45 million euro°, while Valenica is at this moment asking 50 million euro. Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claims that Barcelona has made an offer of 42 million euro°.

Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Barcelona has made a bid of 43 million euro°. Barcelona president Joan Laporta would have offered the fee last Friday. Villa and Barcelona would already have a principal agreement since December last year when Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristian and Barcelona director of football Raúl Sanllehí met with the agent of the player.

Read more:
Villa is not for sale
The report of Txiki (3) : 60 million for Eto'o
Guardiola wants Villa

Barcelona won't sign back-up for Alves

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona won't sign a right back defender this summer.

The club would prefer to spend on a central defender and Puyol will again act as back-up for Alves next season. This would be the reason why Barcelona pulled back from signing Almería right back defender Bruno Saltor (28).

Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claims that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain met three times with Raúl Verdú, the agent of Bruno. The Catalan right back would next week travel to Valencia to sign his contract.

Read more:
Right back Bruno Saltor could be first transfer
Barcelona wants Cesc and four other players

Guardiola wants Villa

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola has asked the club to do everything possible to sign Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (27).

Barcelona is trying to lower the asking price of 50 million euro° but Valencia rejects the option of Cáceres and would only want to include Barcelona striker Bojan in the deal (read more here). In the meantime, Barcelona would already have reached a personal agreement with Villa. If the clubs can find a deal, the contract could be signed soon after the Confederations cup.

Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claims that Valencia is not interested in Bojan. The club would be hoping that Madrid raises the cash part of their bid because the technical staff would like replace Villa by Real Madrid striker Negredo. Asked if the club is considering other options than Negredo, a Valencia official is quoted as saying: "We don't want to take risks." The paper also claims that Villa prefers to join Barcelona rather than Real Madrid.

Asked about the situation of Villa, Valencia president Manuel Llorente confirmed to journalists that Barcelona has asked for the striker: "At this moment, we don't have any offers on the table. The talks with Real Madrid have been stopped on Saturday and now there are other clubs, like Barcelona, who have asked for the player. He's a Valencia player right now and we're gonna take some time to make the best decision for the club."

Read more:
Barcelona planning six transfers
Barcelona joins race for Villa

Barcelona president makes new bid for Villa

Several media claim that, while last weekend Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain had been negotiating with Valencia vice-president Javier Gómez, Barcelona president Joan Laporta yesterday contacted Valencia president Manuel Llorente to make a new offer for Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (27).

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that, while Valencia is asking 45 million euro°, Barcelona made a bid of 40 million euro° plus the loan of one player who is not Barcelona player Bojan Krkic (18). Barcelona players Martín Cáceres (21), Alexander Hleb (28), Eidur Gudjohnsen (30) or Pedro (21) could be included in the deal. The paper claims that this would be the final bid of Barcelona.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has offered 40 million euro° plus Cáceres, while Valencia would be asking a transfer price of 42 million euro° and still tries to include the loan of Bojan. Barcelona would offer Villa a year salary of 5,5 million euro net.

Valencia regional Superdeporte claims that Valencia isn't interested in Cáceres and that they want more cash or another player on loan. The key element could be the loan of Bojan. Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claims that Valencia plans to organize a bid race between all interested clubs, including English Premier League teams Chelsea and Manchester United.

Read more:
Negotiations with Valencia on Villa ongoing
Barcelona planning six transfers
Barcelona joins race for Villa

Valencia puts Villa and Silva for sale

Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claims that Valencia will put for sale Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (27) and Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (23) in the summer.

New Valencia CEO Javier Gómez said last week at a press conferecne that the club is now looking at all options to deal with the bad financial situation of the club: "The situation is very delicate. We'll have to reduce the spending, especially regarding the squad, and we'll have to sell assets. We will do what is necessary."

The paper says that the club has decided that Villa and Silva will be put for sale at the end of the current season, but that they won't sell on the cheap. Valencia hopes that there will be a bid race for both the left winger and the striker and the club plans to sell to the highest bidder.

The main Catalan sports papers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport both claim that Barcelona is closely monitoring the events as both players are on the club's wish list. Sport claims that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain is more in Silva and that Villa is only an option if Eto'o would leave.

Asked about the new rumours, Silva said in an interview with Valencia regional television channel Canal 9 that he didn't hear anything from the club yet: "I'm a club player and I will always look at the interests of myself and of the club. I didn't here anything so far and if the club wants to tell me something, they will have to talk with me."

Read more:
Asenjo, Zhirkov and Silva main transfer targets
Villa doesn't want to talk about speculations
Barcelona still interested in Silva

Villa doesn't want to talk about speculations

Asked about the latest rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Valencia forward and Spanish international David Villa (27) has said at a press conference that he's not considering a transfer at this moment:

"I use to think about and make a decision on things when the options are real. Nobody has told me at this point that the club needs to sell me. Until that happens, I'm not thinking about that possibility.

There are speculations about the club having to put me for sale because they need money but you cannot know if this will come true. That's why I'm calm about all this. I just keep thinking about working, there are still a lot of things left for me this season and we'll see what could come after that. I just don't think it's logical to talk now about situations that aren't sure and that maybe won't happen at all."

Villa's agent José Luis Tamargo meanwhile said to Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias that an exit will depend on Valencia: "If David will leave one day, it will be because Valencia asks him to, because they tell him that they need to sell him for economic reasons. That's the only way he will go. David is happy in Valencia, he has his life here, he feels very comfortable and he doesn't think about anything else than continue to play at Valencia.

If Valencia would be obliged to sell him, David Villa won't leave this country. He won't go to Italy, nor to England, an option we already rejected. It's absurd that he's now again linked with Manchester City. We've always said we don't want to go to England. If we said 'no' to Chelsea, we won't change our mind for Manchester City now. That doesn't make sense."

Read more:
Verbal agreement with Villa
Benzema not a transfer target anymore
Barcelona and Villa reply to transfer rumours

Barcelona monitoring Silva situation

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22) is still on Barcelona's transfer target list.

Although a transfer failed last summer with the player signing a renewal with his club, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begisitistain is still monitoring the situation of Silva. Because of the critical financial situation of Valencia, some of the club's star players could be put for sale in the near future.

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to several European top clubs among which Barcelona, Silva has said in an interview with Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias that, although he prefers to stay, everything will depend on the decision of the club: "Since I arrived here, I only want to think about Valencia. I've always been treated very good here and I'm happy.

I know what could happen if the financial situation of the club doesn't get better but I would be angry if I had to leave Valencia because of economic reasons. One doesn't want to leave his club in such a way. But those things happen in football, clubs can make that kind of decisions. I'm not thinking about what could happen though."

Read more:
Barcelona is still preferred destination for Silva
A goalkeeper, a left back and a left winger
Silva is again the top target

Valencia will listen to offers for Silva

Asked about the rumours linking Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22) with an exit, new Valencia sports vice president Fernando Gómez has said in an interview with Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias that the club is ready to listen to offers:

"If you only look to the football side of the story, who wouldn't hold on to Silva or Villa... I will do everything that is possible to keep them with us and the president has the same intention. They are extraordinary players and we will treat them well, like we do with everyone.

But we'll have to wait and see what will happen in the end. At this moment, I don't have any concrete offer on the table but I will look at every offer that will come in for whatever player of the squad."

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the new Valencia board wants to take advantage of the good performances of Silva and Villa during last month's European championships and intends to sell both players as a solution for the financial problems of the club.

While Julio Llorente and Amadeo Rengel, the agents of Silva, were ready to start talking about a contract renewal, the new situation at the club could lead them to prefer an exit. Barcelona would be considering a 20 million euro° bid for the Spanish winger.

Valencia regional sports paper Super Deporte claims that Llorente and Rengel will travel to Valencia this week to know first hand about the plans of the club, with Silva mainly wanting to stay if the club has an ambitious project and if he gets a contract renewal.

Read more:

Silva could be back on the market

Valencia rejects Villa bid

New bid for Silva next week

Where could Eto'o play next season?

There was Kuruvchi. And Madrid. But since Barcelona made clear that the player isn't part of next season's plans, Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (27) has been linked to a dozen clubs. An overview.

Inter Milan
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claimed that Inter Milan is discretely working on the transfer of Eto'o and would already have held talks with Eto'o.

The Cameroonian striker is one of the favourite players of Inter manager José Mourinho and Eto'o would be positive about the option.

Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Inter is seriously interested but didn't yet make a formal offer to Barcelona. Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Inter and Eto'o have already closed a deal but Eto'o would only join the Italian champions if Barcelona will let him go for not more than 20 million euro°.

Catalan sports paper Sport nevertheless claims that Inter manager Mourinho has made clear to Inter president Moratti that he doesn't want to sign any player from Barcelona.

Valencia
Valencia regional sports paper Super Deporte claimed that Eto'o would be the media bomb (then) new Valencia chief executive Juan Villalonga was preparing. Barcelona would have been asking 15 million euro° for the player because they didn't want him to start the pre-season.

Catalan sports paper Sport claimed that Valencia sports director Azkargorta was working on an attacking pair Villa-Eto'o. Valencia would have been ready to pay 25 million euro°. Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claimed that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain was trying to include Eto'o in a swap deal with Valencia players Silva or Villa.

The rumour grew when Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain said at a press conference that Barcelona doesn't exclude considering offers for Eto'o coming from other Primera División teams.

Valencia put out an official statement denying the rumours: "In view of the information that appeared in certain media about the supposed interest of Valencia CF in signing in FC Barcelona player Samuel Eto'o, the Club wants to express that there were and there will be no contacts with the player to sign him."

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the option was strongly linked to the arrival of former Spanish national team coach Luis Aragonés as new Valencia manager. Sports weekly paper Gol and Madrid sports tabloid Marca claim that Valenca has sounded out the player but stopped every further attempt when they heard how much Eto'o was asking.

Tottenham
Catalan sports paper Sport and British tabloid The Daily Mirror claim that Eto'o is the absolute priority of Tottenham manager Juande Ramos in case striker Dimitar Berbatov would leave the English Premier League club this summer.

British tabloid The Sun claims that Tottenham appears the most likely English destination for Eto'o since the club is resigned to losing both Berbatov and Keane before the start of the season. Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Tottenham isn't really an option for Eto'o since it would mean a step back for himequipe.

Lyon
In an interview with French sports paper L'Equipe, Olympique Lyon president said today that the transfer of Eto'o could be a possibility: "Samuel was close to joining us four years ago when he was playing for Mallorca. If he wants to come tomorrow, manager Claude Puel will be delighted and we have the financial means for the operation.

Another thing is if it's a good idea to bring in a player who earns a lot more than the other players? You have to find a balance, on and off the pitch. But if the manager says we need Eto'o to win the Champions League, we will try everything to sign him even when he's not really within our reach."

Read more:
Could Eto'o join Real Madrid?
Eto'o agent doesn't exclude continuation
Why was Eto'o yesterday in Uzbekistan?

Silva could be back on the market

Due to new (quite dramatic) changes at the top of his club with recently appointed chief executive Juan Villalonga dismissed yesterday and a new president appointed, Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22) could be back on the market.

While Villalonga wanted to build a new ambitious project on Silva and his team-mate David Villa (read more here), the economic situation of the club could now force the club to sell their key players.

Villalonga, who wanted to buy the club, revealed in a surprise speech that the club has a debt of 439 million euro (with over one third of that amount to be paid before the end of the year), that could well rise to almost 800 million euro if the cost of the new stadium is included.

Asked about a possible transfer of Silva and Villa, new Valencia president Vicente Soriano didn't want to guarantee the continuation of both players: "I will try to assure their stay at the club."

Over the last days, Villalonga and Valencia sports director Xabier Azkagorta (also dismissed yesterday) had been negotiating the renewal of Silva, promising the player the same salary as Valencia striker Villa has been offered.

Valencia sports paper Super Deporte claimed that there had been intense contacts with the agent of the winger and that a deal was close. An agreement was expected before Silva's return from holiday next Monday. Madrid sports tabloid As claims that new (and old) valencia sports director Juan Sánchez will now have to try to finish the deal.

With the problems between Villalonga and strong man Juan Soler having already started a little week ago, there were back then already rumours about Silva and Villa being put for sale. Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias brought the news first last weekend. Madrid sports tabloid Marca claimed the asking price for Silva is now 30 million euro°.

Super Deporte, that now reports that Villa is on his way to Real Madrid, claimed earlier this week that the interest of Barcelona for Silva was again growing. Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola is insisting on the transfer but that the fee makes it not very likely the player will end up in Barcelona.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo said that Barcelona is planning a new offensive for the Spanish international. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that both Guardiola and Barcelona sports director Txiki Begirstain think that Silva is the ideal player for the left wing.

Read more:

Silva agent admits Barcelona contact

Looking for a left winger and a centre forward

New Valencia CEO influences Silva transfer

New Valencia CEO influences Silva transfer

Juan Villalonga, former chairman and CEO of Spanish telecommunication company Telefonica, will sign today a contract as CEO of Valencia.

Villalonga has ambitious plans for the Spanish club but the media don't seem to agree on what this could mean for the future of Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22).

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that selling Silva is seen by Villalonga as a solution to deal with the club's debt of almost 400 million euro and especially with the short-term payments. After his notable performance at the European championship last month, Valencia hopes to receive a high transfer fee.

Because of the difficult negotiations with Zenit Saint Petersburg on Zenit attacker Arshavin, Barcelona's interest in Silva has been reactivated. Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain is expected to make a move soon.

Spanish news site El Confidencial and Valencia regional newspaper Las Provincias claim that Villalonga has decided not to sell Silva. Together with forward David Villa and right winger Joaquín, Silva should become a key figure in the new project.

Valencia regional sports paper Super Deporte claims that the new CEO hasn't yet taken a decision but that he will ground the decision only on football arguments. The main question is not whether Silva will be sold, but what a transfer would mean for the team. If the transfer fee of around 35 million euro° would help to build a better squad, a transfer is possible.

Villalonga now first wants to talk with the player when he returns from holiday. A final decision on the exit or continuation of the Spanish left winger is expected shortly after the meeting.

Read more:
Meeting with Silva this week
Where was Arshavin all those years?
Deal with Silva

Deal with Silva

Spanish local newspaper Las Provincias claims that Barcelona has reached a principal agreement with Valencia left winger and Spanish international David Silva (22).

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain met with Amadeo Rengel, the agent of the player, on Wednesday night and the deal was closed. Barcelona would pay Silva a year salary of 2,2 million euro°, the double of what the player is currently earning.

Barcelona will now have to contact Valecia with a first formal offer. Rengel would possibly act as go-between in the negotiations between the two clubs. Catalan sports papers Sport and El Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona wants to close the deal with Valencia as soon as possible because Silva is expected to play a good Euro 2008, which could make other teams join the race and lead to a price increase.

Valencia nevertheless does not seem to be in a hurry. And despite the rumours about the club having financial problems,Valencia does not want to let players go on the cheap. Valencia sports director Juan Sánchez said yesterday to journalists that the club did not yet receive an offer for Silva: "If an offer comes in, we'll look at it. If David would have to leave one day, an important fee will have to be paid."

Valencia chief executive Jesús Wollstein even went a step further today: "David Silva is a key player for our project and is untransferable." This was confirmed by Valencia president Agustín Morera who hopes Silva will end his career at Valencia but added that all offers will be looked at by the sports director and the manager.

Negotiations are nevertheless expected to start in the coming days with a first offer by Barcelona. Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that the first bid would be 15 million euro°, with that proposal probably being raised to 18 million euro°. Valencia would consider 20 million euro° as being an absolute minimum.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona does not want to pay more than 20 million euro°. Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Barcelona has already made an informal offer of 20 million euro°, but that the answer from the entourage of Valencia was negative.

Silva has a buyout clause of 90 million euro°. Las Provincias claims that Valencia would nevertheless be ready to let the player go for a transfer fee between 35 and 40 million euro°, Madrid sports tabloid As talks about 35 million euro°.

Read more:
Intense contacts on Silva
Silva first choice for left wing
Looking for a left winger