Why Barcelona Striker David Villa Is Coveted by Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool

According to Joe Mewis of The Mirror, David Villa will have his pick of three top English Premier League clubs this summer.

The Barcelona forward, rated at €14 million, has received concrete interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur after deciding his future lies away from Camp Nou.

Cules worldwide adore the Spaniard but understand his wish to move on, and this looks to be one of the more clear-cut transfer possibilities of the offseason.

At 31 years of age, Villa no longer represents the world-class striker he once was. Barcelona announced his arrival for €40 million in 2011, and after a slow start began to reap the rewards of playing with such high-class teammates.

But a cruel leg-break in the Club World Championships ended his second season as early as December, and from there he's struggled for consecutive starts. With Pep Guardiola gone, his Barca career took a big hit, and Tito Vilanova doesn't appear to have much faith in him.

But that doesn't mean he's not worth a look for England's top clubs, and Villa would still represent a fantastic option for most.

His trophy cabinet is the envy of many, and the experience he's gained over the past 10 years will serve any club competing at the top level well.

B/R's Tre' Atkinson, a La Liga and Barca expert, spoke to me in private conversation on the matter, and he believes he's a perfect fit for an EPL side:

"He has a mixture of Spanish touch and finesse, but his game is very much suited to England's top tier," Atkinson said.

"He can beat defenders one vs. one and use his dribbling skills and passing to create for others. He has a fierce shot from distance, but he can also place them wherever he wants."

Villa has spent half of his time at Barca being re-educated. Once a lone striker, the focal point of Valencia's attack, now a converted wide forward adept at sprinting in off the edge and turning full-backs inside-out.

The all-time leading scorer for Spain has lost a yard of pace due to his injury and, consequently, his work rate (tracking back) has diminished a little.

But he can play in a two-man partnership, as a lone front man or on the left of a 4-3-3, making him one of the most versatile, willing and hungry world-class transfers on the market this summer.

If the aforementioned price of €14 million is correct, you'd be mad not to pursue him if forward is a need.

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