Both Barca and Real Madrid have been closely linked with a move for Villa and with Madrid last night confirming they had struck a deal for Lyon striker Karim Benzema, the path now seems clear for the European champions to swoop for the Valencia hitman.

However, Laporta is adamant the finances must be right for them to push on with a deal for the prolific Spain striker.

"Regarding Villa, it would not be prudent for me to reveal how the negotiations are going," Laporta was quoted as saying on Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.

"We would be delighted that he came, but it will depend on negotiations and the price. We cannot do things that will break the model that the club has."

Unlike Madrid, who are fast approaching the £200million mark after agreeing deals for Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema and Raul Albiol, Barca have been fairly quiet in the transfer market so far this summer despite being linked to various players.

Instead, much of the attention has centred on striker Samuel Eto'o and whether he will still be at the club next season.

With only one year left on his existing contract there has been plenty of speculation about the Cameroon international's future, with Laporta revealing at the weekend that Manchester City had made a "stratospheric" contract offer to the player.

Laporta has publicly said Barca are keen to keep Eto'o and on Monday night offered him a new two-year contract, but the saga took a new twist on Tuesday when Eto'o's agent Josep Maria Mesalles went before the press to clarify his client's situation.

In the press conference, Mesalles revealed Barca had told him twice in recent weeks that Eto'o had no future at the club, while he also described Laporta's claims that Eto'o had made astronomical wage demands as "absolutely false".

Laporta revealed in the interview with Cadena Cope that he had been "saddened" by the whole affair and believes Mesalles was wrong to do what he did.

"His representative and Samuel have said that he wants to continue and the club have offered him a contract renewal with the same conditions that he had, which we believe are very good," said Laporta.

"I think that what his representative is doing is not helping Samuel. It's a mistake to take the debate in the media. It's not doing the player any favours.

"Personally this matter has left me a little disappointed, it saddens me because I hold Eto'o in high esteem.

"I would like, in the same way as I've said how up until now he has given a lot to Barca, that he (Eto'o) reflects on what Barca have given him."

Laporta added: "I will do everything possible to find the best solution for the club and for Eto'o. It would be best for both parties."

Laporta was also asked about Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, a player who came up through the youth ranks at Barca before leaving for England in 2003

Fabregas, 22, has long been linked with a move back to his former club, but while the Spain international has spoken of his desire to one day play for Barca, he has also regularly stated he is happy at Arsenal and committed to the Gunners.

"As I've said many times, Cesc has Barca DNA and I think that some day he must end up playing here," said Laporta, who suggested the next move was down to Fabregas.

"He'll have to do it like (Gerard) Pique did it, stating clearly and emphatically that he wants to play at Barca. We all like him a lot - the sporting director (Txiki Begiristain), the coach (Pep Guardiola), me..," added the Barca president.