Loading ...Aug 05 2008
More David Villa, Tottenham Rumors
If I had to bet, I would put money on Tottenham being without David Villa come September 1. Still, there is an awful lot of smoke around these rumors for there not to be fire. But the sticking points in my mind: the current club says they’re not selling, and the player and his representation are being coy about it all. This seems more Juande Ramos trying provide a cash catalyst to the situation.
Perhaps Ramos and Ramon Calderon went to some seminar together in the spring?
Today, new rumors come from reliable sources. Tottenham is set to offer £32 million for David Villa. The sale of Dimitar Berbatov would fund the transaction, with the Bulgarian to be moved for £30 million.
That reported chain of events should raise doubts as to the veracity of the rumors. Who is going to pay £30 million for Berbatov? The reports make it seem like not only will somebody do it (Barça?), but they have confirmed this to Spurs, who are only waiting to find another striker to finalize the Bulgarian’s signing. And yet Berbatov still plays in the preseason games, as he did this weekend. So beyond the fact that Valencia seems ill-disposed to selling their striker, there are problems with this story.
If somebody has confirmed they want to buy Berbatov for £30 million, why wait? Spurs didn’t wait to sell Robbie Keane to Liverpool, were willing to create a hole in their linep (which, thankfully, Darren Bent has filled nicely), and now Zenit St. Petersburg is holding Ramos over the coals on Andrei Arshavin’s price.
The same rumors that have Spurs making a new, record-setting bid for Villa have them staying in the picture with Arshavin. It is all very fantastical, but I refuse to doubt anything Spurs-related after they improbably sold Robbie Keane and then decided David Bentley was a good fit. Just as I may be proven wrong on Bentley, I may be proven wrong on Villa, and the Spain international could be in London by the end of the month.
The move makes sense if Valencia is you think the reports of their debt problems are accurate. I never know what to trust with those stories because there are so many different ways clubs can elect to report their debt that I always feel like I’m on the end of a marketing campaign. If Valencia were inclined to see Villa, though, wouldn’t they have done it a month ago, when Villa’s value was sky-high after Euro 2008 and they could spend the next month using the proceeds to procure a replacement? With their UEFA Cup campaign about to start and a reasonable expectation they will compete for a UEFA Cup (or even Champions League) spot for next season (as well as wanting to defend the Copa del Rey), how does now doing an about face on Villa make sense?
As you can tell by my inane use of questions as writing devices, I don’t think it does. All this smoke we’re seeing it just that: smoke. That said, he would fit rather nicely in North London.
Quotes
“David likes London and likes how Spurs play under Ramos. If they present an offer, Valencia will seriously study the subject.” - Jose Luis Tamargo, agent, Villa
“Valencia CF has made no agreement nor are they involved in any negotiations to transfer David Villa and David Jimenez Silva to any club in Spain or abroad.” - Valencia
“It is completely untrue. I have informed both the players and their agents in an official and clear manner that the firm intention of the club is for both of the players to stay with us and see out their contracts.” - Valencia
Links
Tottenham eyeing £60million triple swoop?
Spurs reportedly prep $80M mega-bid for Villa
Spurs set for record breaking swoop
Valencia furious over Villa-Silva sale claims
Valencia determined to keep stars
Valencia want to keep Spanish stars Villa and Silva
Soriano vows to keep stars at Valencia
WFP Related Posts
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