Spanish striker set to extend stay at Nou Camp.
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Arsenal have been dismayed by the news that Barcelona have offered a new deal to David Villa according to The Daily Mail.
The Catalan giants are reported to have offered the Spanish hitman a new deal in an attempt to ward off potential interest from the Premier League.
Villa was strongly linked with a move to England during the January transfer window, with the likes of Swansea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea all thought to be monitoring the player’s availability.
The player had just 14 months remaining on his contract and it was hoped that the forward might be signed in a cut-price deal.
Those hopes have now been dashed with the news that the La Liga side have offered Villa an extension to his current contract.
The striker is reported to be keen on remaining with the La Liga leaders as he believes they offer the best chance of him returning to the Spanish national side.
Villa found himself out of the starting eleven for Barcelona and Spain after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a broken leg.
But the player has recently begun to rediscover his old form, netting the crucial third goal for Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League tie with AC Milan last week.