Barcelona agree deal for Maxwell

Barcelona have agreed a deal with Internazionale to sign Brazilian defender Maxwell.

The 27-year-old international wing-back is now set to join the Spanish and European champions in £4.2million deal.

Barca have been on the lookout for a new left-sided defender after deciding to release veteran full-back Sylvinho at the end of the last campaign.

"Barcelona and Inter Milan have agreed in principle the transfer of the Brazilian player Maxwell," confirmed a club statement.

"The price of the transfer would be 4.5million euros, with 0.5million more dependent on variables."

Meanwhile, president Joan Laporta has told Valencia that he will not break the bank to sign David Villa.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been linked with the striker this summer, but the latter has refused to meet Valencia's valuation of him.

Likewise, Laporta has said Barca will not be held to ransom over the Spain international and will explore other options if they have to.

"We're not going to spare no expense," he said.

"We will do the touch-ups that we have to but we have to bring in the players that interest us in reasonable conditions.”

Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben has confirmed he is aware of interest in him from Tottenham Hotspur, though he does not have plans to leave the Bernabeu.

Robben has been linked with a move away from the club throughout the summer in light of the arrivals of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

But Robben sees his future lying in the Spanish capital, despite being flattered by Spurs' interest.

"I think my dad (and agent) already had some contact with Spurs," he told Sky Sports News. "I've been long enough in football not to say never.

"It's a great club. It's always good if a club like that shows interest in you. But I am very happy at the club, full of confidence and I am really looking forward to next season."

Asked whether he envisaged himself playing in the Premier League next season, Robben replied: "No, I don't think so."

Nikola Zigic is determined to stay at Valencia and win over his doubters.

The giant Serbia striker arrived at the Mestalla two years ago but spent last season back on loan at former club Racing Santander after failing to hold down a starting place.

Zigic was in prolific form at Racing after netting 13 times in 19 games and is confident of rediscovering the same sort of form with Valencia this season despite reports of interest from other clubs.

"My objective is the same as always. I want to play for Valencia, I want to succeed here and I want to win as many titles as possible," he said.

"The fact that other clubs are asking Valencia about me has given me even more motivation to impress the coach and to fight for a place in the first time.

"I can do this by working hard and, of course, scoring goals."