Barcelona icon reflects on failed move to Real Madrid – ‘Don’t know what happened’ | OneFootball

Barcelona and Spanish football legend David Villa was the latest guest on Jose Ramon de la Morena’s podcast.

The two discussed various topics, among which the standout moment was when the former Barcelona striker reflected on the possibility of joining Real Madrid in 2009.

Indeed, Villa was close to joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, with everyone in Valencia considering the deal done and dusted. However, the deal did not materialise at the end.

Villa reflects on failed Real Madrid move

When asked about the failed move to the Santiago Bernabeu, Villa admitted he had no idea what happened, arguing that his agent used to handle all the negotiations.

“Honestly, I don’t really know what could have happened at that last moment,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo) on the failed transfer to Real Madrid.

“I’ve always said the same thing: in the end, and especially in Valencia, where it happened to me most, every summer it was like with Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Barcelona.

“I have an agent who does the work, and I’m very respectful of him. Nobody put a gun to my head to make me sign a contract with a €150 million release clause,” he added.

David Villa was a legend in his own right. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Villa revealed that the negotiations were underway before he was informed that Valencia had pulled out at the last moment and that he was staying at the club.

“I don’t know what happened because it was a negotiation between clubs,” he said.

“When it’s signed, we’ll look at everything. I’m calm. They told me negotiations were underway, then I was informed that Valencia had backed out and that I wasn’t going to leave.

While this alone may devastate most modern footballers, Villa wasn’t fazed and eager to get the pre-season started in Valencia colours.

“I said, well, fine, I’m not going anywhere. When does preseason start?” he said at the time. “Was I wrong? Well, I don’t know if I was wrong, but you can’t change who you are.”

Villa ended up playing for Valencia that season before eventually moving to Barcelona the following year, for a fee of around €40 million.

The rest, as they say, is history, with Villa concluding his three-year spell at Camp Nou with 48 goals and 19 assists in all competitions as well as a Champions League title.