Villarreal want Roberto Soldado but manager believes deal with Tottenham 'is very difficult'

Villarreal are ready to offer Roberto Soldado a return to La Liga but the club's manager, Marcelino Garcia Toral, has told IBTimes UK that reaching a deal with Tottenham Hotspur will not be an easy job.

Spurs signed the Spain international in the summer of 2013 after agreeing to meet his £26m ($40m) release clause at Valencia as part of the overhaul that followed Gareth Bale's departure to Real Madrid.

The 30-year-old forward was expected to lead the Spurs attack under then manager Andre Villas-Boas after he had previously garnered a reputation as one of the most clinical strikers around Europe during his time in La Liga, scoring 24 goals in his final campaign at Valencia.

But the Spaniard has struggled to replicate that form since his arrival at White Hart Lane and could leave the club during the summer transfer window.

Soldado's agent has been in London to discuss the future of the striker at White Hart Lane, while IBTimes UK understands Villarreal, Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Everton are keen on securing his services.

Garcia Toral has admitted to IBTimes UK that he would open the doors to Soldado but suggests a move to the Madrigal will not be easy as Spurs secured his services just two seasons ago.

"We are looking for a striker to increase the competitive in our side. Our idea is to sign two strikers and we are currently dealing with that. Last week, someone asked me about [Sevilla striker] Kevin Gameiro and today you ask me about Soldado. Let's see who arrives," Toral said to IBTimes UK after Giovani dos Santos, Luciano Vietto and Ikechukwu Uche left the club during the summer transfer window.

"It is very difficult [to sign Soldado]. He is currently in a great team and just two seasons ago they paid a high fee to sign him. It is a difficult situation."

One way or another, Garcia Toral is convinced that despite Soldado struggling to make the impact expected at Tottenham, he still can regained his best form if he joins Villarreal.

He said: "I think he can. He is a player with a lot of potential. Even though he has had two seasons without regularity I think that a player that has always scored goals doesn't forget to do it that easily.

"But as he is not here, I don't want to speak further about that possibility. If it happens [a move to Villarreal], we will see his performance. Anyway, and as I told you, from my point of view, his signing is currently far to happen."