David Villa’s Tottenham Move in Doubt as Premier League Rivals Circle

Tottenham Hotspur may well still face serious competition for the signature of Barcelona forward David Villa with Liverpool and Arsenal also said to be in discussions about signing the Spaniard.

Various publications have reported that Villa was all set to be announced as a Tottenham player in the coming days, but Spanish paper Sport believes that there are other options in England for the veteran striker.

Villa's future was expected to be resolved this week after he made it clear that he would only discuss a move away from Barcelona once the Confederations Cup had come to a conclusion.

Tito Vilanova restricted Villa's appearances last season and the 31 year old was expected to move this summer in order to secure regular first team football. Sport reports that Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been in negotiations but are unwilling to pay the £9m that Barcelona are asking for.

There could also be a further twist with the suggestion that Barcelona could look to use Villa as a makeweight in a potential deal for Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.

The England international has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer after Sir Alex Ferguson declared that he had received a transfer request from the striker.

Former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique has urged Rooney to join him at Barcelona and it seems as though Vilanova may be tempted to move for the striker if Villa can be used in a swap deal.

The Spanish champions are believed to be willing to bid in excess of £27m plus Villa, but must wait to see whether new Manchester United boss David Moyes would be prepared to part with the 27 year old.

Moyes is expected to sit down with Rooney in the coming days to discuss his future and it seems the outcome could have some influence on where Villa ends up playing his football next season.

With Arsenal moving closer to signing Gonzalo Higuain and Liverpool already having signed one striker in Iago Aspas, Tottenham will be desperate to win the race to sign Villa as manager Andre Villas-Boas looks to build a side capable of once again qualifying for the Champions League.

Spurs have already agreed a deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Paulinho but it is believed that a striker is a priority after relatively disappointing campaigns from Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe.