David James dismisses Barcelona link

Goalkeeper David James has pledged his future to Aston Villa after being linked to Barcelona.

Goalkeeper David James has pledged his future to Aston Villa after being linked to Barcelona.

James, who is taking Spanish lessons, is one of a number of targets for Barcelona coach Lorrenc Serra Ferrer along with Real Oviedo's Esteban and Juventus's Edwin van der Saar.

The former Liverpool player intimated in a Sunday newspaper recently he would consider moving abroad to try to rid himself of his "Calamity James" tag.

But James, who recently signed a new three-and-a-half year contract which put him on a par with Villa's best-paid players, is content to remain with John Gregory's side.

READ MORE

He said: "I am happy at Aston Villa. I have just signed a long contract and can see the club going places. The fact I am learning another language is completely coincidental."

Ferrer is looking for an experienced keeper to help develop 18-year-old Jose Manuel Reina.

James is learning Spanish to help Villa's £9.5 million sterling record signing Juan Pablo Angel settle in following his arrival from River Plate.

PA