Manchester City are chasing Valencia striker David Villa.

The Daily Mail says sources in Spain said the failed Robinho deal for Barcelona was caught up in a chain and dependent on City being able to sign Villa from Valencia.

A move for Spain hot shot Villa would put big-spending City head-to-head with neighbours Manchester United, who have made Villa's £35million signing a priority.

City have publicly insisted their £34m record signing from Real Madrid is not for sale and are likely to want a big-name replacement if they were to change their minds.

Valencia have privately accepted they will have to sell two from Villa, Silva and Juan Mata in a bid to eat into their £450m debts.