Far from it being a fleeting winter fancy, Arsenal are fully prepared to sign David Villa in the upcoming transfer window, with their Champions League qualification giving them an advantage over rivals Spurs.

Bid

Barcelona insider/mouthpiece Guillem Balague has confirmed Arsenal have bid around £10m for the Spanish striker, and a deal could be completed very soon.

Barcelona are prepared to let him go now, with the expectation being that they’ll sign a new striker (possibly Neymar) in the summer.

Villa was reportedly unsure as to his destination, having been convinced by Mikel Arteta in January to join Arsenal, he’s entertained the idea of Spurs instead.

However, the league table could prove decisive.

Game time

It seems clear that Villa has one thing on his mind-making Spain’s 2014 World Cup squad. At Barcelona he isn’t playing enough, and either of Arsenal or Spurs would certainly offer him more of a starring role than at Barca.

At 31 he’s not got long left at the top level, around two years most likely, and he’d rather be giving that to a side that will benefit.

One issue does arise: This isn’t exactly an ambitious signing from Arsenal. Along with another ‘big’ forward, certainly, but a 31 year-old signed on the cheap from Barcelona won’t exactly make other clubs stand up and take notice.

Once the ‘We’ve signed David Villa’ factor wears off, people won’t be happy.

With Yaya Sanogo likely to join as well, could that be Arsenal’s forward shopping completed?

I hope not. Of course, with Villa’s capabilities on the wing as well, he could be a squad option for the front 3. Here’s hoping that is the case.

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