Barcelona striker David Villa cut for shock loan move to Swansea

Having made just seven starts in all competitions for Barcelona this season, David Villa looks poised to move when the January transfer window slams open.

The Spanish international has been linked with a number of clubs, which is no surprise given his quality. But what may come as a surprise to many is that Swansea has emerged as a seemingly credible contender to secure the striker’s services.

Indeed, Sky Bet have reportedly seen a flurry of bets in their ‘Transfer Specials’ market, with punters anticipating that the 31-year-old will be plying his trade at the Liberty Stadium in the New Year, with a three-month loan deal purportedly on the cards.

Villa, who joined Barca from Valencia for a fee of €40 million in 2010, has been blighted with injuries during his time at the Camp Nou. Coach Tito Vilanova seems to favour deploying Pedro, Cristian Tello and Alexis Sanchez, along with the brilliant Lionel Messi, in attack, leaving Villa as no more than a fringe player.

For all that his medical record in recent seasons will give potential suitors cause for concern, the Spaniard has reportedly attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Swansea’s Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, while Arsenal and Tottenham have also been linked with the forward.

So can the Swans see off some stiff competition in the race to sign Villa? It would appear so. Barcelona legend Michael Laudrup manages the club and Villa would have the chance to link-up with former teammate Pablo Hernández Domínguez, who is proving a real success at the Liberty Stadium. The brand of football which Swansea play will also be a good fit.

Though the allure of Manchester City or another top club in Europe would undoubtedly be strong, Villa has literally won every medal as a player. As such, joining a progressive outfit such as Swansea could be appealing, as it will represent a fresh challenge.

For all that he is now entering the latter stages of his career and there are doubts as to whether his body can cope with the physical demands of the Premier League, David Villa is still every inch a world-class striker and he would be an exciting addition to any club within the English top-flight.