Valencia slap €150m price tag on Villa

Valencia president Juan Soler insists Chelsea have not made an offer for Spain striker David Villa and warned any interested …

Valencia president Juan Soler insists Chelsea have not made an offer for Spain striker David Villa and warned any interested clubs they will have to start negotiations at €150 million.

Reports in the English press on Tuesday morning suggested Villa is at the top of Jose Mourinho's wish-list during the January transfer window but Soler is adamant Los Che will only let him leave if the player's buy-out clause of €150 million is met.

Soler said: "Officially we have not received any interest or an offer from Chelsea for Villa. I met (Valencia sporting director Amedeo) Carboni this morning and he didn't mention anything regarding any possible interest from Chelsea for our striker.

"We have heard rumours but that is all it is. We have no intention of selling him. But should any club be interested, they could sit down and negotiate his buy-out clause, which is currently worth €150 million."

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Villa scored 25 goals in La Liga last season and was reportedly the subject of a failed €20 million bid from Chelsea in the summer.

The 24-year-old, who has struck five goals in 12 league appearances this campaign, is under contract at the Mestalla until June 2013.

"Villa is a crucial player for us now and in the future," added Soler.

Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen is currently in Valencia with the Premiership champions' youth team, who play a friendly against their Valencia counterparts on Wednesday.