Villa are braced for a fresh bid from Liverpool for Gareth Barry as they prepare for their skipper’s inevitable departure.
The Anfield club are set to table a third offer for the England international, with Rafa Benitez this time prepared to pay around £15m in hard cash.
It is believed Villa could also receive up to a further £3m in add-ons should the Reds win the Premier League or Champions League, taking the deal to a potential £18m.
That is the same amount Liverpool paid for Javier Mascherano, whom Villa boss Martin O’Neill has claimed is worth as much as Barry.
Benitez has already had £10m and £12m offers rejected for the midfielder, but those bids involved players plus cash.
The Spaniard is keen to put an end to what has so far been the biggest transfer story of the summer, by wrapping up a deal in the next 48 hours.
He is confident his increased offer will be enough to push the move through.
Barry’s agent Alex Black confirmed yesterday that Barry has told O’Neill the news he had been dreading – he wants to leave the Second City to fulfil his ambition of playing Champions League football.
A statement released by Villa last night read: “Gareth Barry has stated in discussions with our manager he would like to leave Aston Villa to join Liverpool.
“But Liverpool’s bid for the player has been rejected and they have been informed of Villa’s continued position in this matter.”
That refers to the second offer put on the table to Villa last month, but it is unlikely the club are going to be able to hold out any longer after Barry, who joined from Brighton in 1997, made his intentions clear.
Barry has enjoyed a new lease of life at Villa Park since O’Neill’s arrival two years ago, going on to establish himself as a regular in the international set-up.
He is known to be close friends with England team-mate and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, who recently voiced his desire for Barry to team up with him at Anfield.
Chelsea’s Steve Sidwell and Fulham’s Jimmy Bullard are among the candidates being touted as possible replacements.
4 Comments
Surly Liverpool have broken league rules?
Why have, up to now, the preimer bosses seem to be very quiet - is it because Liverpool are a “top 4 club”?
Martin O’Neil should DEMAND Gerrard & Torres in part exchange or NO DEAL!
Oh well, Sooner people realise he is Over hyped the better - Ive watched him over his career at villa and he really aint THAT good…
He aint quick, Average defensivly and dosent score enough goals - Also Reo will make a better captain.
Sell Him for 15M and Sign Sidwell for 5M and it would be sound business for the villa boys…
I think 15 Million plus addons of another 3 million for Barry is good business. And this could come back to bite the scousers anyway. I’ve been unconvinced for several seasons of a BIG 4! I personally think it is really a big 3 with Liverpool on their own closely followed by Villa, City, Everton and Spurs and of whom could be really challenging Liverpool next season. And if Newcastle could get their act together Liverpool might find themselves having to sell Gerrard and Barry of those players ambitions is to continue playing champions league football.
I think Gareth Barry is completely crazy joining Liverpool. He will be lucky to play 20 full games next season under Rafael Benitez. He is a confidence player and if he doesn’t play regularly his form will suffer.As for playing Champions League, he will be warming up the bench more than playing actual football on the pitch!!!
Good Riddance to Barry…..if he feels he can do better for himself at Liverpool!!
They will win nothing next season, while Villa will go from strength to strength under Martin O’Neill.
I am 100% confident that the new signing will soon arrive!!!
A true Villain