CHELSEA have edged ahead of Manchester City in the race to sign David Silva.

The Valencia midfielder has already said 'no' to a five-year contract with City, who also want his club-mate Juan Manuel Mata.

They are prepared to pay Silva a bigger salary than Chelsea but he wants to play Champions League football next season.

Valencia got £40million from the sale of David Villa to Barcelona. But they remain under pressure to sell at least two more top players.

Their president Manuel Llorente said: "We have received calls about Silva but no concrete offers.

"Right now nothing is out of the question because we need to safeguard the future of the club."

Silva, 24, capped 33 times by Spain, has a release clause of around £28m but is likely to leave Valencia for around £20m.

His agent Amadeo Rengel said: "The option of Chelsea is the most interesting in terms of the sporting project."

However, Silva insisted: "The only thing in my head is the national team and to have a good World Cup.

"I'm not thinking about the club or possible exits."

NOTW

he would be a good replacement for Joe

For £20 million he's an excellent signing.

But, how have we edged ahead of City? I didn't know we were even in the race?

Hell yes.*

*My enthusiasm may be entirely based upon Football Manager exploits.

I love how all the good players turn City down, they must be sooo pissed at Spuds

I rate Silva, good deal I say. Only possible concern is if he can reproduce his game in the premiership.

For £20 million he's an excellent signing.

But, how have we edged ahead of City? I didn't know we were even in the race?

By joining it? :P

would have him in a heartbeat! Should be a perfect addition to our squad, watched la liga last season and the guy kinda reminds me of iniesta (ran the show in the game against madrid)

Finally a transfer to look forward to after the stupid benayoun rumour!!

He's a brilliant player. Would fit at the tip of a diamond, or on the wing in the 4-3-3.

If we signed him for 20million....I would be delighted

Would love to see him at ours. Such a classy player.

NOTW? Oh well, nice dream while it lasted

20 millions it's superb prize for him!!! It would be great transfer!

Their president Manuel Llorente said: "We have received calls about Silva but no concrete offers.

how exactly does that add up to us "edged ahead of Manchester City in the race to sign David Silva" ... or to their even being a race?

ohhh it's in the NOTW.

right.

City put offer for him but he didn't agree.

If we det auger it makes sense to have another spaniard.

If we det* auger* it makes sense to have another spaniard*.

*get

*Aguero

*Aguero's Argentinian.

*get

*Aguero

*Aguero's Argentinian.

Teachers red pen!

It has already been pointed out, but this came from the NOTW. As much as I'd love to get him, and especially at the price being mentioned, I'd take this story with a huge pinch of salt.

The player is even saying that he's not concerned with anything other than the WC, and the president didn't even mention our name. The only one mentioning Chelsea was his agent.

However, if we could get him, and for that price, I'd be very happy.

Scott

I read that Silva is main transfer target for Chelsea.

I've never been totally convinced by the lad, at least in terms of his massive reputation. He scored that cracker against us which seems to have made the English media love him, but he's fairly lightweight and often wasteful in possession. Would be very interesting to see how he fares in the Premier League and he's probably worth a gamble, but it would be very much that - a gamble.

Hope its true, but I'd rather see us get a guy that plays on the right, not another one that plays on the left.

Someone like Silva, who couldve had a move for the last couple of years, is probably more concerned with prestige and prizes than money.

But if thats the case, and Real Madrid are interested (as has been rumored....alot) he is Spanish and he will want to go there.

Valencia are also in need of money, so he wont be cheap no matter who gets him. I think a lot of stars have to align if we are to get this guy.

Im talking about a-fachts

Spanish players usually don't want to go to England because of weather!

Wasn't overly impressed with Silva tonight, how about Navas from Sevilla? looked quite good against Swiss

Jesus H Christ...yet more judging a player after ONE f**kING GAME!

Wasn't overly impressed with Silva tonight, how about Navas from Sevilla? looked quite good against Swiss

We almost signed him a couple of seasons back, however he suffers from chronic home sickness and he even struggles living in sevilla so a move to England is completely out of the question. Silva seems to have opened to the idea of life in england and I would love to have him in the club. An absolutely fantastic player.

Silva is a brilliant player and would be a top signing if we could pull it off.