Barcelona have moved quickly to reinforce their squad snapping up Spain striker David Villa from Valencia for £34 million, three days after winning a second consecutive La Liga title.
After a board meeting at Valencia in the morning, their president Manuel Llorente said they had accepted Barca's offer.
"We have sold David Villa to Barcelona for 40 million euros," he told a news conference at the Mestalla.
"As everyone knows we could have done this deal last year but we thought at that moment it was best to keep our squad together to try and get into the Champions League.
"We have achieved that aim and finished third in the league, and he has contributed a lot towards this. We think it is good sale and necessary for the economic situation of the club."
Barcelona confirmed the deal in a statement on their website, saying Villa would sign a four-year contract with an option for one more year.
Villa, 28, will lead the line for European champions Spain at the World Cup in South Africa starting next month.
Source: Eurosport
After a board meeting at Valencia in the morning, their president Manuel Llorente said they had accepted Barca's offer.
"We have sold David Villa to Barcelona for 40 million euros," he told a news conference at the Mestalla.
"As everyone knows we could have done this deal last year but we thought at that moment it was best to keep our squad together to try and get into the Champions League.
"We have achieved that aim and finished third in the league, and he has contributed a lot towards this. We think it is good sale and necessary for the economic situation of the club."
Barcelona confirmed the deal in a statement on their website, saying Villa would sign a four-year contract with an option for one more year.
Villa, 28, will lead the line for European champions Spain at the World Cup in South Africa starting next month.
Source: Eurosport