Arsenal transfers: Gunners ‘planning late £10m David Villa bid’

Arsenal will wait until late in the January transfer window before launching a £10m bid for Barcelona striker David Villa, according to reports.

Villa is understood to be keen to secure a move away from the La Liga leaders after finding his first-team opportunities limited under new coach Tito Vilanova.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell earlier this month insisted that Villa would not be leaving Camp Nou in the current transfer window – but the Gunners are still considering a bid as Arsène Wenger attempts to bolster his strike-force before 1 February.

The speculation comes after Barcelona coach Vilanova last week moved to end talk of a possible exit for the 31-year-old by insisting he still has an important role to play for his side this season.

“David will not leave, we are very happy with him,” Vilanova said. “It’s been a long recovery process [from his broken leg suffered in 2011], but we know his importance to the team, and we’re sure that he will help us.”

Villa, who joined Barça from Valencia for £31m in 2010, has scored 40 goals in 97 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan outfit.

Open a bet365 account with £10 or more and you'll get a free bet of up to £200 on us. Click here for more information.

Like The Sport Review on Facebook:

Read more on: Arsenal, Barcelona, david villa, Football transfers, Premier League.