Villa to cost "£100million"

Valencia have warned Chelsea that negotiations for star striker David Villa would start at £100million. British newspapers have suggested that Spain striker Villa was top of Jose Mourinho's shopping list for the January transfer window.

But Valencia president Juan Soler insisted on Tuesday that his club were committed to keeping the 24-year-old.

"Officially we have not received any interest or an offer from Chelsea for Villa," Soler told PA Sport.

"I met (Valencia sporting director Amedeo) Carboni this morning and he didn't mention anything regarding any possible interest from Chelsea for our striker.

"We have no intention of selling him. But should any club be interested, they could sit down and negotiate his buy-out clause, which is currently worth 150million euros (£100million)."

Villa, who scored 25 La Liga goals last season and has five in 12 league starts this year, is under contract at the Mestalla until summer 2013.

Eurosport - AS - 28/11/2006 18:25