Arsenal told £17million will land Barcelona target

Arsenal will have to fork out at least £17m if they revive their interest in David Villa at the end of the season.

The Gunners were heavily linked with the Spaniard during the recent transfer window, but Barcelona refused to let him leave the Nou Camp.

Villa, who turns 32 later this year, has struggled to win back his first-team place since suffering a broken leg in December 2011 and has managed just eight league starts this season.

But despite the fact his contract expires at the end of next season, El Mundo Deportivo report that Barca will still demand a fee in the region of £17m for any parties interested in luring him away from Catalonia this summer.

And although Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has altered his transfer policy in recent seasons to buy more experienced players, it remains to be seen whether he would sanction such a large outlay on a player of Villa’s age.