London: David Villa's future at Barcelona is in doubt, which has been enough to spark off interest from Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, according to media reports in England.
After a stellar first season following his big-money move from Valencia in 2010, the Spanish striker has found playing time hard to come by this season, having been regularly benched by manager Pep Guardiola. The World Cup-winner and Spain's record goalscorer was left out of the team to face Real Madrid on Saturday, restricted to a substitute appearance during the 3-1 el clasico win.
Villa enjoyed a brilliant last season with the Catalan giants, which saw them triumph in the La Liga and the Champions League, but his future at Camp Nou has been in doubt for some time following reports of a bust-up with team-mate Lionel Messi earlier this season and the summer arrivals of Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez.
According to The Express, Villa will hold talks with Guardiola to question his role at the Nou Camp, and is prepared to instruct his agents to find him a move to England.
Both Liverpool and Chelsea have been previously linked with a bid for the World Cup-winner, but reports suggest the Anfield club may have the edge, with goalkeeper Pepe Reina on good terms with the 30-year-old.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have also made enquiries about Villa and are keen to partner him with the misfiring Fernando Torres, hoping the pair can replicate their international form in the Premier League.
However, the race for Villa has also sparked off interest at Manchester United, and even Manchester City. United are currently short on forwards, with Javier Hernandez out injured for the second time this season, and Dimitar Berbatov, who is also out injured, likely to leave the club in the near future.
Any move for Villa, however, will come down to his asking price, with Barcelona likely to demand a significant portion of the 38 million Pounds they shelled out for Spain's record goalscorer in 2010.
Meanwhile, Villa himself has insisted he is happy at Barcelona and is not looking for a move. He recently told reporters: "I don't give any importance to what is said outside the club. I don't have to be worried about all of this, it's all the same to me. I work so that the coach, my colleagues, the fans, and my family, are happy, and that's the case."
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