Barcelona put £15M price tag on Chelsea target Villa

Chelsea are in the hunt for a striker and a forward in the January transfer window, and David Villa has been heavily linked with the Blues in recent weeks.

Chelsea were reported to be keen on a loan move for the Spanish striker but Barcelona don’t seem keen on such a deal.

The Spanish giants have however offered the striker’s services on a permanent basis for £15million, which is reported to have ruled Arsenal out of the chase, leaving Chelsea and Liverpool as favourites.

It is yet to be seen whether Chelsea will be willing to sign the 31 year-old on a permanent basis, with the Blues hierarchy seeking to build a young squad, and shipping out the experienced players in the process.

Chelsea were assumed to be trying to tie up Villa’s loan move as a temporary stop-gap, before completing the signature of Radamel Falcao or possibly Neymar in the summer.

Roman Abramovich had apparently set Falcao high up on his wish-list, with reports suggesting Chelsea would be willing to pay the £48million to release him from his contract at Athletico Madrid, as well as make him the West Londoner’s highest earner with a whopping £10M per year plus bonuses.

Roman sent his PA to Madrid for talks, and the player may have decided to see out this season with Athletico.

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