Transfer Season

With the news that Barcelona have agreed to terms with Valencia for David Villa, I think its time to talk transfers. Being a Barca fan I am gonna talk about the Barcelona summer transfers and spend some time on other rumors.

The big news is that yesterday Barcelona agreed to terms for David Villa, the Valencia striker. Barca spent last summer trying to wrangle Villa away unsuccessfully. It seems that this time Barca has found a way to bring him in. First off, I like David Villa and think he is a great goal scorer and is a good fit at Barcelona. However, he is 28 and turns 29 in December. He is getting older and his production wont continue to be as high as long. He will spend maybe 3 years in a Barca jersey before he loses his spot. I personally would prefer Barca to go after Fernando Torres of Liverpool as he has said he thinks continuing to play in the EPL will "ruin him". Barca could offer 35 million euros for him and I think Liverpool would sell. Torres is only 26 and could spend the next 5 years at Barca with great results. Also, I think Barca are giving up too much for Villa. The rumor is 40 million euros plus Alexander Hleb and Bojan Krkic. While I don't mind the fee, giving up 2 players both rated around 10 million euros is excessive. Especially when you are giving up Krkic. Krkic is only 19 and will turn 20 this summer. He is rumored to have scored 1000 goals while in the Barcelona youth system and he has also scored important goals for the senior team. He just missed a header against Inter and actually scored the goal that should have sent Barca to the final if it had not been incorrectly waved off. I think signing Torres and sending Bojan on loan for a year is the smarter move as you can then bring him back and let him develop a little more. Also, spending 60 million on Villa when Barca were only willing to spend 45-50 million on him last season is wrong.

The other problem this brings about is Zlatan Ibrahimavic. Does this spell the end for the Swede? I would say yes as he has failed to impress in his first season at Barca. Man City are reportedly interested in him and would be willing to spend 50 million for him. Or Barca could try to swap him for Torres. Either way this gives Barca some money to spend. Reportedly this money will be spend on Gael Clichy of Arsenal. He is a talented young (22) left back would would fit in well at Barcelona. It would allow Barca to sell off Maxwell who has also failed to impress, and move Abidal into center back, where he plays for France. With Puyol getting older, and possibly being sold as well, Abidal will fit in well in the middle with Pique. Abidal would spilt time with Milito, who has shown good form after coming back from injury. I wouldn't mind seeing Barca spend money on a center back as well but that doesn't seem likely. Hopefully Chigrinksy will improve next season.

There is also rumor that Barca will spend 20 million euros on Juan Mata, the Valencia winger. he would fit in on the left side for Barca, though with Pedro playing well I don't see the need for this move.

In other news, it looks like Real Madrid have given up on Wayne Rooney and will instead spend their money on David Silva, the Valencia winger (yes it does seem Valencia are selling everyone). There is also rumor that Real is interested in selling Lassana Diarra to Man United and trying to pick up another defensive midfielder for cheap. It is also rumored that if Man City fails to make the Champion's League that Tevez will ask for a transfer out. Man United is also interested in Aston Villa's winger Ashley Young and so is Barcelona. Karim Benzema may also be on the outs at Real Madrid as he wants more playing time.