Florentino Perez: David Villa's move to Real ''a question of time

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims it is only ''a question of time'' before the club sign David Villa, according to Soccernet.

Madrid are one of a number of clubs being linked to the striker, but talks between them and cash-strapped Valencia broke down last weekend and Los Che president Manuel Llorente revealed on Tuesday that there were no existing bids on the table for the 27-year-old.

However, Perez was quoted as telling Canal Nou on Thursday: ''Manuel Llorente knows what he wants to do. Us as well. For that the operation is a question of time.

''Everything must be done in a friendly and co-operative way and we have very good relations with Valencia. Things need to be done calmly, be explained well and so that everybody is happy. We have the whole of the summer ahead of us.''

Perez insists, however, the fee they are willing to pay for Villa will not be in the same bracket as the ones they agreed for Kaka and Ronaldo, who cost £56m and £80m respectively.

''Players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, who are Ballon d'Or or FIFA World Player of the Year winners, are players that are called investment players,'' he said.

''Real Madrid cannot pay these quantities of money for every player. This is not to put down Villa. Players who have won these awards have an international impact.

''I think Villa is an excellent player, but he is a footballer who we have to accommodate into our project.''

Perez's comments come just a day after Villa confirmed he had made up his mind about where he wants to be playing his club football next season.