Decision day looming for Villa

For David Villa, the end of the Confederations Cup brings the pressing business of deciding - and announcing - his future plans. The former Valencia man knows that his opportunities at Barcelona are going to be limited and that the club is happy to offload him as it pursues new faces. In other words, the door is open for him to leave. And he isn't short of suitors.

Tottenham is currently at the front of the queue for his signature. Indeed, reports in England claim that the deal is more or less done and dusted and that it being officially confirmed is a question of when, not if. Nevertheless, when asked about his future in Brazil, Villa refused to discuss the issue, adamant that he was fully focused on Spain.

Either way, the fact is that Villa holds all the cards. As MARCA revealed three weeks ago, when the striker put pen to paper on his current four-year €7.5-million-a-season deal - which expires in 2014 - the club inserted a clause stating that his salary would be hiked up to €11 million in the last year of his contract, which is now. As such, it is understandable that he is in no hurry to depart on anything other than his own terms.

Money aside, Villa knows that he needs regular football next season if he is to secure a place in Spain's World Cup squad. This is something Barça cannot guarantee him, particularly with Neymar now in the 'Azulgranas' ranks. For this reason, the Asturian's days in the Catalan capital look to be very much numbered.