Valencia may have to sell Villa, Silva, says CEO

Valencia's new chief executive Javier Gomez has admitted the club's financial state is precarious at best.

Reports of an unpaid wage bill of $19 million have rocked the Mestalla side, which now may consider drastic action in terms of its top assets, namely David Villa and David Silva.

"The club is in a very delicate situation," he told Sky Sports. "The club has to control spending, grow income and sell assets. Selling Silva and Villa? Obviously we will consider that type of action. We have to control costs, and the biggest cost in a football club is maintaining a team."

Valencia managed to fight off summer interest in its star players, particularly Villa, who was apparently subject to a late Real Madrid bid of $44 million that was immediately rejected.

Silva is under contract until 2014, while El Guaje is tied to the Mestalla until 2013 with a release clause said to be in excess of €150m.