City, energized by the new ownership of Abu Dhabi United Group, have reportedly made a move for the Spain striker shortly before the transfer window closure.

But Valencia are obviously still reluctant to sell the EURO 2008 top scorer, who was also in a strong link with Spanish champions Real Madrid over the last summer.

"They would have to pay his release cause, which is £121million," Los Ches chairman Soriano said in the Daily Star.

In the same manner, Villa's agent Jose Luis Tamargo reasserted his client's willingness to stay at Mestalla 'for a long while'.