A few days ago, Chelsea coach Rafael Benitez was reported as being ready to offer 12 million euros for Barcelona striker David Villa. Now it seems that he has intense competition from another contender in the English league.
According to the UK's Daily Star, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is ready to throw a solid deal at the Spanish striker to outbid Chelsea. Villa is available on loan and City has no problem matching his weekly wage of 110,000 pounds.
Mancini and his squad have struggled mightily over the last few weeks as the team is now a full seven points behind first place Manchester United. A recent article published by ESPN's Richard Jolly focused on how City's four strikers are struggling tremendously. Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez, the leading scorers on the club, have scored just once each in the last eight matches. Mario Balotelli who has had issues with Mancini has tallied once in 10 matches and Edin Dzeko has only one goal in the last 13 matches. The Daily Star's report indicates that Mancini would get rid of Balotelli to make room for Villa.
Villa would jolt the offense and would also get a chance to play with Spanish star David Silva on City. He had recently stated that he was interested in Chelsea because of the opportunity to link up with his 2010 World Cup partner Fernando Torres, but he has a similar option in Silva at City.
Villa has had a tough season at Barcelona where he has rarely started a match and has often played minimal minutes off the bench. He would likely have to win his spot atop the City lineup, but Mancini would not buy Villa to not use him.
Other teams interested in the striker are Arsenal and Liverpool.