Barcelona complete £34.2m deal for Valencia striker David Villa. Barcelona have signed the Spain striker David Villa from Valencia for £34.2million, subject to a medical.

The 28-year-old, who will lead the line for the European champions at the World Cup in South Africa, has agreed a four-year deal and will be officially unveiled after completing his medical tests.

Barcelona confirmed: "FC Barcelona and Valencia CF closed a €40m deal for Spanish striker David Villa on Wednesday morning... He will make an appearance on the Camp Nou pitch [on Friday]. The stadium doors will be opened to the public."

The 28-year-old scored 107 goals in 166 league matches for Valencia after establishing himself with Real Zaragoza.

Villa's arrival is likely to lead to increased speculation over the futures of Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though the outgoing president Joan Laporta yesterday claimed the club were "satisfied" with the 21-goal contribution of Ibrahimovic in his first season since arriving from Internazionale last summer.

Henry, meanwhile, appears on the verge of a move to Major League Soccer, with Laporta revealing there was "a lot of interest" in the France forward from the United States.

Villa, top scorer at Euro 2008 despite missing the final through injury, was heavily linked with a move away from the Mestalla last summer to ease Valencia's financial troubles.

He reportedly attracted interest from clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea as well as Barça, but ultimately stayed put and insisted he was happy to do so.

"There is no train missed because all I have achieved is because of Valencia and the Spain national team so I do not think any train has passed," he said last July.

"I had the desire to remain here and I want to spend all my sporting career here. The fans have always treated me well because of my performance, because I have sweated in this shirt and that is what I will continue to try to do."

The Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain, meanwhile, has welcomed the "great" news that Cesc Fábregas would also like to secure a summer move to the Camp Nou, but insists they will respect Arsenal's wishes.

"What matters now is Arsenal and what their decision is... We have to respect Arsenal's wishes and the contract he has."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/19/david-villa-valencia-barcelona-arsenal

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