Blues battle Real for Villa

Chelsea and Madrid in bid Valencia to sign forward

Last updated: 9th June 2009  

Blues battle Real for Villa

Villa: Set to decide between Chelsea and Real Madrid

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Chelsea and Real Madrid are battling it out to sign prized Valencia striker David Villa, according to reports.

The Blues are reportedly prepared to pay £38million in cash for the 27-year-old, while the Spanish giants are said to be offering £24million plus striker Alvaro Negredo.

Chelsea's sporting director Frank Arnesen and Jorge Valdano of Madrid are currently in Valencia for make-or-break talks with the club and his agent, Jose Luis Tamargo.

Villa is set to decide this week on which he prefers, with reports in Spain saying he is close to joining Real.

But while Tamargo has previously insisted that the Spanish international will not move away from his homeland, he now says 'sporting ambition' is also important in the decision.

Tamargo told The Sun: "The key here is not just the money being offered but the sporting ambition of the club. David has never only been interested in money."

Chelsea nor Real have yet to comment on the speculation linking them with Villa.