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Enlarge PhotoBarcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks at the ball during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer... Barcelona's outgoing president Joan Laporta has quashed speculation the signing of Spain striker David Villa will lead to the sale of Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic."Ibra is not for sale," Laporta, who steps down at the end of June, said at a book launch on Thursday.
"He is a very valued player and I know the technical staff are counting on him," he added. "Villa's signing will not affect Ibra's future."
Ibrahimovic, 28, has struggled to live up to expectations following his move from Inter Milan in a swap deal with Samuel Eto'o, netting 16 league goals in 29 matches in his first season compared to Villa's 21 and top scorer Lionel Messi's 34.
However, one of those was the crucial winner in November's "Clasico" against arch rivals Real Madrid and he also has seven goal assists.
After sealing a second consecutive La Liga title on Sunday, Barca moved swiftly to strengthen their squad by snapping up Villa from Valencia for 40 million euros ($49.7 million) in a deal expected to be completed on Friday.
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Alison Wildey; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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