CHE WARN BLUES OFF VILLA MOVE
Chelsea will have to start the bidding at £100 million if they want to buy David Villa, according to Valencia president Juan Soler.
The Blues have been linked with a move for the Spain international, but Soler claims that they have not yet received a bid.
And he has issued a warning that any interested party will have to match the player's ?150 million buy-out clause if they want to begin negotiations.
Villa is reportedly being lined up as a replacement for Ukraine striker Andrei Shevchenko, who has failed to convince since his £30 million move from Milan in the summer.
But the player is under contract at the club until 2013 and Soler does not intend to let his prize asset leave without a fight.
"Officially, we have not received any interest or an offer from Chelsea for Villa," Soler told PA Sport.
"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 (£100 million).
"Villa is a crucial player for us now and in the future."
Carboni has since commented on the speculation, echoing Soler's desire to retain the player.
"We haven't spoken about the rumours, but he is in our plans and we don't expect Villa to leave for any price."
Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen has also claimed to have no knowledge of any bid for the player.
"I don't know anything," he said.
"That is an issue of the first team and those matters are dealt with by coach Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon.
"He is a very good player, but at Chelsea we already have very good players."
