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Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign Barcelona striker David Villa who Sport.es claims is certain to leave the Nou Camp this summer.
The 31 year old is being pursued by three Premier League sides but this source claims that Arsenal lead Liverpool and Tottenham by virtue of being able to offer the Spanish international Champions League football next term.
Arsene Wenger has long been chasing the former Valencia man and came close to signing the 31 year old in January and is likely to push on with efforts to sign the Barcelona forward this summer.
The Catalan side are said to want €14m (£11.9m) for Villa, a fee that Wenger may baulk at given the players age and the fact that he has just a year to run on his current contract.
Though Villa has been something of a bit part player since recovering from a lengthy injury sustained in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup he has still scored regularly when called upon.
Thus far this season the striker has scored 15 goals in all competitions, despite making only 25 starts.
Though clearly older than a usual Arsene Wenger target it seems that the Gunners boss would be willing to make an exception given the level of quality on offer.
Prior to his move to Barcelona Villa scored 128 goals in 217 appearances for Valencia and is the all time record Spanish national team goal-scorer.