Valencia Rejected €42M David Villa Offers From Barcelona And Real Madrid - President Fernando Llorente
Thursday, October 15, 2009 @ 3:17 PM
Despite huge bids from two big clubs, the Spain striker stayed with the club and raised their profile...
Valencia president Fernando Llorente is delighted that he was able to fend off interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid for David Villa in the summer.
And Los Che's supremo has revealed that, after lengthy negotiations with both clubs, he was able to turn down two €42 million offers in order to keep the star at Mestalla.
Following bids and counter bids from Madrid, Llorente was not keen to let Villa go so when Barca made their move they were also told there would not be an agreement.
"Florentino Perez offered €42 million and I said that we would like to have Alvaro Negredo and Esteban Granero," Llorente was quoted as saying by AS.
"He insisted on the €42 million and we asked for €30 million plus Negredo.
"There was no agreement.
"Nor with Barcelona, which also went to €42 million. And then I decided to call the press to say we would not sell because the media pressure was already very strong.
"I'm glad I made that decision, to me it made us famous.
"The other day a Chinese journalist was still congratulating me for not having traded, also several fans in Valladolid
"The truth is that Villa is impressive. He looks forward to the recognition, to feel important and has a huge desire to please."
Source: goal.com