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Valencia are considering selling some of their star players, including strikers David Villa who was the top scorer at Euro 2008 and David Silva, seen here in 2007, to balance the books. |
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MADRID (AFP) - Valencia are considering selling some of their star players, including strikers David Villa who was the top scorer at Euro 2008 and David Silva, to balance the books, Spanish media reported Monday.
The club have been forced into off-loading key players because they have been unable to carry out a much-needed capital increase, sports daily Marca and regional daily Las Provincias reported.
Valencia are in financial trouble due to a poor season, a huge payoff to their previous coach and the fact that they failed to make the lucrative Champions League for next season.
The club won the Spanish league in 2002 and 2004 but finished in 10th place last season in La Liga, 34 points behind the winners Real Madrid but will take part in the UEFA Cup next season since they won the Spanish Cup.
Spanish media believe Villa could be sold for 40 million euros (63.5 million dollars). The 26-year-old scored four times during Euro 2008 which was won by Spain and has been eyed by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Silva, 22, also shined during the European football finals and has sparked interest from Real Madrid's cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid.
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Discuss- Add comment
Tontodonati July 21st, 2008 21:34
Here we go again! When do they learn the lesson? If it were not for a few intelligent men, humanity would still be tilling the ground with their bare hands!ajax72 July 21st, 2008 21:55
Beg, borrow or steal but don't sell Villa and Silva.Tontodonati July 21st, 2008 23:25
Ajax, read my comment on Ferguson trying to give Ronaldo some fatherly advise. I think you're going to like it!cameroon July 22nd, 2008 12:33
if villa and silva happen to live them it could just be the end of that teamindsc4 July 22nd, 2008 21:37
Valencia went through a large amount of turmoil this past season...an ambitious club going for Champions League and domestic glory. So the story goes if there is a run of bad results: fire the manager. New manager shakes the club up and gets rid of solid performers for the past several years, players that helped the club win the league a few years back. Fire this manager and get a new one. Survive relegation and end up in the red after a disastrous season. Valencia are a decent squad, but they're not Barcelona or Real Madrid.