Valencia are cash strapped and have admitted that their star player will have to go in January, despite Villa signing a contract extension that runs until 2014 just six months ago.
It is understood that the deal, worth an estimated £160,000-a-week, could be completed as early as Friday.
I think there has been enough substance around this story to suggest there may be more to it than the the di Natale link, but reports of a deal being completed as early as Friday strike as premature.
With reports of £160,000 a week and £100 million release fee clause, whilst the transfer amount may not cause a ripple in the owners pockets, Villa's wages may cause one or two knocks on Mark Hughes's door from the current squad.