Atletico Madrid have in the past few moments gone some way to replacing Radamel Falcao after agreeing a £4.1m deal for Barcelona and Spain striker, David Villa.
The deal concludes what has become one of the longest transfer sagas in recent memory as the out-of-favour forward has been linked with a move since breaking his leg in the 2011 Club World Cup and his future now looks within days of being sorted as only a medical and a few bits of paperwork stand between him and a move to the Spanish capital.
The move would also put to bed the rumours regarding a move to any number of Premier League clubs regarding Villa as he’s been linked to Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and even to Manchester United in a cash plus player deal for Wayne Rooney; a rumour that Spanish papers were still endorsing this morning.
To those of you thinking that this is a small fee to be paying for such an esteemed striker, Atletico may have pulled off one of the deals of the century when you look at the small print of the deal. The terms are believed to be that Atletico will pay an initial €2.1m, with options for the full fee to be paid season by season should Villa play through the whole of his three-year deal at the Vicenté Calderon.
Such structured framework for the deal suggests Atletico don’t have 100% faith in Villa’s fitness going forward but only time will tell whether or not their concern is warranted.
Either way, stick with us here to see how this one develops!