Reports coming out of Spain suggest that Arsenal have signed out of favor Barcelona striker David Villa to a £12m pre-contract deal.
Arsene Wenger wanted to sign the Spanish striker in January but Barcelona did not want to let him go.
But with a major shake-up at the Camp Nou expected to take place this summer, Villa has been allowed top leave and Arsenal have signed the 31-year-old according to AS Sport.
It’s an interesting move as Arsenal have been linked with Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, but his price is reportedly around £25m.
Villa is a cheaper option, and if Wenger can get QPR’s Loic Remy, who reportedly has set his heart on a summer move to Arsenal, for his £6m release clause, then Arsenal will have added two quality strikers for less than the cost of Jovetic.
The quality of Arsenal strikers have fallen far short of of its rivals in recent years, even when they had van Persie. This year for example, Arsenal’s strikeforce was Walcott, Giroud, Gervinho and Podolski. Next season it could be Walcott, Giroud, Villa and Remy. That is a significant upgrade in talent.
