• Premier League

Valencia grant permission for City to talk to Silva

David Silva graduated through the Valencia Academy © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Anelka signs new Chelsea deal
  

Valencia have confirmed that David Silva has been granted permission to talk to Manchester City, but the player's agent insists there is also an offer on the table from Chelsea.

Silva is currently in South Africa with the Spain squad, but he is likely to become one of the most significant Premier League additions of the summer as City and Chelsea battle for the £30 million-rated attacker.

Valencia's deputy chairman, Javier Gomez, has revealed Roberto Mancini has already reached the advanced stage of holding talks with Silva, although the two clubs are yet to agree the fee.

"As has been said, there is interest from Manchester City and we have permitted them to talk to the player, but we have reached no agreement and we have not talked about a fee," said Gomez.

The major drawback of a potential move to Eastlands for Silva would be the lack of Champions League football, something Chelsea will use as their major bargaining weapon. Silva's agent, Julio Llorente, has revealed three offers have been put in front of his client, and he hinted that Stamford Bridge might be the most tempting destination.

"We're weighing up offers from three clubs and one is Chelsea. If Silva doesn't want to go to City, the transfer isn't possible," stated Llorente in the Daily Mail.

Silva has already registered his interest in a move to Chelsea in the past, insisting they can emulate Real Madrid in the future.

"Chelsea have established themselves as one of the best clubs in Europe over the last five years," he said in the Daily Star. "They might not have the history of Real Madrid or AC Milan but they are creating their own history now.

"There is no reason why in the future Chelsea can't be as decorated as Real Madrid. Chelsea probably have, along with Barcelona, the best squad in football and if any player joins Chelsea he knows he is going to win things.

"In players like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, they have players who would get into any team in the world and it would be a pleasure to play with them. There is no doubt in my mind that Chelsea would be a great club to play for - and a club where I could fulfil my ambition of league titles and the European Cup.

"The Premier League is still the place to be. No other league in the world has six or seven Champions League-quality teams."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.