Thursday, June 12, 2008

Rafa Wants Spanish Villa With Pool

Rafael Benitez reportedly wants to pair David Villa with Fernando Torres in Liverpool's attack - but has been warned he won't come cheap.

Villa combined with Torres to devastating effect with a hat-trick in Spain's 4-1 demolition of Russia in their opening Euro 2008 fixture on Tuesday.

And Reds boss Benitez is keen to see the pair wreak similar havoc on Premier League defences next season.

Torres took to England's top flight like a fish to water after moving from Atletico Madrid for £27million last summer - and Valencia director Juan Sanchez admits Villa's price tag will rise with every goal he scores at Euro 2008.

Villa looks destined to leave Los Che this summer, as the Primera Liga side's financial worries dictate that they will be required to reluctantly part with their biggest assets.

Villa certainly tops the list in the Mestalla sale and new Valencia boss Unai Emery can expect a busy close season as he sets about reshuffling his pack.

His star striker is valued in the region of around £17million, but that figure could rocket if he continues his electric form in Austria and Switzerland.

Villa's current employers are prepared to sit out a bidding war, with Sanchez revealing that the club will bide their time before deciding on the player's worth.

"He has a contract and is having a great Euro," the Spanish director said in The Sun. "We are calm and we hope he will continue to score many goals. You never know what will happen if we get offers.

"It's not a question of putting a price on him.

"What will come in the future will be assessed then."

Chelsea and Barcelona have also been linked with Villa, but it remains to be seen whether the Blues' interest will continue following the announcement that Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to become their new boss.

However, despite the growing speculation surrounding his future, the talented forward is refusing to be drawn on the issue until after Euro 2008.

"I'm not going to speak about my future until after the Championships," he insisted.

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