Villa would cost City '£121m'

President wards Eastlands side off striker

By James Dall   Last updated: 7th September 2008

david villa valencia

Villa: City reports

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Valencia president Vicente Soriano has said that Manchester City would have to pay £121million in order to land David Villa's signature.

Villa had been persistently linked with a transfer away from the Mestalla following his impressive showing for Spain at Euro 2008.

A move during the summer failed to materialise, however reports on the final day of the transfer window suggested Premier League club City had attempted to secure his services.

The new owner of City, Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, has intimated that Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG) could back a major overhaul at the club in January with Villa thought to be high on their list of targets.

No desire to move

But Soriano has warned the Eastlands outfit off Villa, insisting only a world record offer would see the 26-year-old depart Los Che.

He said in the Daily Star: "They would have to pay his release cause - £121million."

Villa's agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, added: "Villa has said he intends to remain in Valencia, where they want to keep him for a long while.

"He has never wanted to play in English football."