Valencia wants £100 million for Villa
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Valencia President Juan Soler has moved to dismiss rumours of a Chelsea bid for star striker David Villa, denying any contact between the two clubs and warning that any bid would first have to fulfill the terms of the Spanish international's buyout clause.
"We have no intention of selling him. But should any club be interested, they could sit down and negotiate his buy-out clause, which is currently worth 150 million euros (£100 million)," Soler told PA sport.
Villa, 24, has emerged as one of Europe's top strikers in recent years, scoring 25 league goals last season and impressing at the World Cup.
His continued good form this year has led to speculation over his future, and, despite Soler's insistence, looks set to be the subject of a January bid from Chelsea.
"Officially, we have not received any interest or an offer from Chelsea for Villa.
"I met (Valencia sporting director Amedeo) Carboni this morning and he didn't mention anything regarding any possible interest from Chelsea for our striker.
"We have heard rumours, but that is all it is," he said, "Villa is a crucial player for us now and in the future."
Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen, currently in Valencia with the youth team, denied any knowledge of his club's interest in the player.
"I don't know anything. That is an issue of the first team and those matters are dealt with by coach Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon."
"He is a very good player, but at Chelsea we already have very good players," he added.
"We have no intention of selling him. But should any club be interested, they could sit down and negotiate his buy-out clause, which is currently worth 150 million euros (£100 million)," Soler told PA sport.
Villa, 24, has emerged as one of Europe's top strikers in recent years, scoring 25 league goals last season and impressing at the World Cup.
His continued good form this year has led to speculation over his future, and, despite Soler's insistence, looks set to be the subject of a January bid from Chelsea.
"Officially, we have not received any interest or an offer from Chelsea for Villa.
"I met (Valencia sporting director Amedeo) Carboni this morning and he didn't mention anything regarding any possible interest from Chelsea for our striker.
"We have heard rumours, but that is all it is," he said, "Villa is a crucial player for us now and in the future."
Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen, currently in Valencia with the youth team, denied any knowledge of his club's interest in the player.
"I don't know anything. That is an issue of the first team and those matters are dealt with by coach Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon."
"He is a very good player, but at Chelsea we already have very good players," he added.
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