Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The transfer saga of David Villa has finally come to a close earlier today as the Spanish international winger has finally left the reigning La Liga champions, Barcelona.
Before we get to where he went, let’s remember which team offered to pay his former club roughly $15 million for his services — Tottenham Hotspur of the Premier League.
At the age of 32, Villa has played out his entire career in Spain. When Tottenham came calling, he or his club declined because he may have not favored a move out of his country so late in his career. This would have been a chance for a new adventure but both parties chose otherwise.
Now, the attacker has been sold to Atletico Madrid for less than $6 million … no misread there … roughly 5.1 million Euros, with Barca reserving the right for 50% of a fee if he is sold in the future.
Atletico’s purchase of Villa is almost a steal. To get a player of his quality for less than 10 million Euros is almost unreal.
If he stays healthy and starts almost every game, he can easily hit in 15-20 goals in the league games alone — he can score at least five in Europe.
The reason Barca agreed to sell him is due to the arrival of superstar winger Neymar who is Villa’s 11-year junior. He is faster, more explosive, more technical and is becoming a superstar with the ongoing development of his abilities. He is expected to become the club’s next best player after Lionel Messi.
Spurs missed out on a great winger in Villa who declined the chance of embarking on a new adventure in England. The Premier League could have used a player of his qualities nonetheless Tottenham are going to switch to a 4-3-3 which would have suited his game perfectly. He could have been the left attacking winger as would run that left flank with ease.
Regardless, he has decided to join the Copa Del Rey champs and his first competitive game against Spanish opposition will be against Barcelona — who are the reigning Liga champs — in the Spanish Super Cup. Watch out for that game which will be played towards the end of August.
