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Spurs lose out as David Villa chooses Atletico Madrid
Villa on international duty with Pepe Reina (file photo). Credit: Paul White/AP/Press Association Images
ATLETICO MADRID HAVE reached a deal in principle to sign Spain striker David Villa from Barcelona, the Catalans said Monday.
Having signed for Barca in a 40 million euro ($51.5 million) deal from Valencia in 2010, the 31-year-old, who struggled to hold down a regular first team place at the Camp Nou last season, will cost Atletico just 5.1 million euros.
“FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of the player David Villa to the Madrid club,” said Barca in a statement.
“In the meantime Barcelona retain the rights to 50 percent of any future transfer of the player.”
Villa will henceforth fill the void left by Colombian striker Radamel Falcao’s transfer from Atletico to Monaco.
Villa began his career at Sporting Gijon before moving on to Real Zaragoza and then Valencia in 2005.
He scored 108 goals in 166 league games for Valencia, becoming one of the hottest strikers in Spanish football.
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Atletico Madrid David Villa Done Deal Tottenham Hotspurs