What the papers say

 

THE football world is still buzzing with City's transfer-market intentions - even though the window is closed until the end of the season ...

Daily Mail

"Barca expect £20m bid for Eto'o"

Barcelona are bracing themselves for a £20million summer bid from Manchester City for Samuel Eto'o after the striker indicated this will be his last season at the Nou Camp.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are also all keen on La Liga's top scorer, who has snubbed Barca's offer to begin contract talks. In the summer, he will have just one year left to run on his current deal.
Eto'o, 28 next month, is believed still to harbour a grudge against coach Pep Guardiola, who said the striker could be sold last summer but no clubs could match Barca's valuation. Eto'o has since worked hard to get back into favour and tops the charts with 23 goals.
His feelings became clear when he refused to be photographed for a magazine interview wearing a Barcelona shirt, saying he did not want to be 'one of those players that kisses the badge then leaves'.
Barca would prefer to sell to the highest bidder which would put City in pole position, but Eto'o has always been a fan of Arsenal's style and Liverpool.

Daily Telegraph

"Villa agent dismisses City speculation"

City reportedly made a £50 million approach for the Valencia forward ahead of the January transfer window, but his agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, claims Villa is not interested in a move to England.

"David has rejected the chance to play in England. It would be a nonsense to negotiate with Manchester City and Chelsea aren't interested," he told the Mirror.

"If Valencia do decide to sell him he wants to stay in Spain."

Villa, who scored Spain's opener in their 2-0 victory over England earlier this month, now has a strike rate of 25 goals in 42 internationals.

While Spain rely on Villa, Valencia are even more dependent on the prolific forward, who has scored 18 out of their 43 league goals this season.

Villa was hot property in the summer after firing Spain to Euro 2008 glory – with the tabloids labelling him 'Maravilla' which translates as 'wonder'.

After missing out on Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Spanish champions Real offered a reported 45 million euros for him, but Valencia didn't want to do business and the striker signed a contract extension until 2014.

"The club wanted to keep me and I feel comfortable here so it is all fine," Villa explained at the time.

However, with presidential elections at the Bernabeu this summer, Villa could again be a target for Real come the end of the season."