Tottenham look set to miss out on their top summer transfer target David Villa after it was revealed the player has opened talks with Valencia over a new long-term contract.
Contrary to statements from his agent claiming that the Spanish international would welcome a move to London, the striker is now negotiating a massive pay rise to remain at the Mestalla.
"David Villa is a Valencia footballer - he is under contract and loves the shirt," said Villa's agent Jose Luis Tamargo.
"He is very content at Valencia and has always been, and I’m hopeful he will still be for many years to come."
It had seemed that cash-strapped Valencia were prepared to cash in on their prize asset.
However, Tamargo added that negotiations with the La Liga outfit have been making good progress.
"It has been a positive meeting and all the parties are looking in the same direction to find an agreement," he added.
The news will come as a huge blow to Juande Ramos.
The Spurs boss, having seen Robbie Keane depart for Liverpool and with Dimitar Berbatov's future in doubt, is desperate to add a top class striker to his squad.
Villa was his top target but now the Spaniard - who has also been linked with Espanyol's Luis Garcia, Real Zaragoza's Diego Milito, Spartak Moscow's Roman Pavlyuchenko and West Ham's Dean Ashton this summer - will have to turn his attention elsewhere.
[Guardian-Series]
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