David Villa in Real's sights

[Lance Knight]

with recent speculations on Calderon wanting Villa, Madrid has starting getting advice on the best possible way of signing him

Real Madrid seek legal advice on Villa buyout clause
October 24, 2007

Real Madrid are ready to take Valencia to a tribunal over David Villa's £100 million buyout clause.
Marca says Real are so determined to prise Villa away from the Mestalla that they're taking legal advice over the buyout clause of the striker's current contract, which is regarded as "unfair" in comparison with his Valencia wages.

Real directors are also discussing the prospect of waiting 12 months so Villa can take advantage of FIFA's Article 17 law and buy out the remaining two years of his deal.

[lightningghost]

David Villa is undeniably an excellent player, but Real Madrid have so many strikers it could well end up being a case of Cassano all over again - a very good player moves to the Bernabeu, doesn't play very often and his career goes down the John. Raúl will play every match he can because he's the captain and everyone loves him, van Nistelrooy will have to go on a seriously poor run to be dropped, and even after then we've got Higuaín, Robinho, Baptista, Saviola and, at a stretch, Soldado who can all play up front. There's no point in paying through the nose for someone who'll only play every other game. As Spurs have found out paying £16.5m for Darren Bent...

Although I guess if Real buy Villa no one else can have him.

[Gunner]

i would love to see david villa go to arsenal, they are playing some amazing football this season and villa would fit perfect. not that arsenal lack anything this season but villa would make the first team of any team and he brings that killer instinct infront of goal.

[Lance Knight]

Real Madrid president Calderon won't rule out Villa bid
October 31, 2007

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon refuses to rule out prising David Villa away from Valencia.
Calderon turned up the heat ahead of tonight's big match by admitting that Villa's signing was still on Real's agenda.

He said: "Any executive or professional never closes the door on anything.

"But while Ramon Calderon is president, Real Madrid will never pay £35 million for a player. Also, I want to make clear that Real will not, have not, and will never speak to Villa without informing the Valencia president first."