James Milner’s return to Villa today looked set to hinge on Gareth Barry’s on/off move to Liverpool.
Martin O’Neill is prepared to pay £8m to get his man – twice the amount he almost signed him for two years ago – but faces a tug-of-war with Reds counterpart Rafa Benitez for the England under-21 star, who only signed a new four-year contract in the north-east last summer.
The Villa boss almost made Milner his first signing when he took over the reins from David O’Leary after Milner had enjoyed a successful loan spell at Villa Park, only for the Magpies to pull the plug on a transfer at the 11th hour.
Milner’s signature is not the only tussle O’Neill and Benitez are currently engaded in with the Anfield club having already seen three bids turned down.
The situation has remained stagnant for more than a week with no new offers tabled by the Merseyside club, who have been put off by O’Neill’s £20m asking price.Benitez is keen to use players in part exchange but O’Neill wants straight cash.
With both sides refusing to budge an agreement still appears some way off and it could yet force Barry to hand in a transfer request to get his move.
However, the odds still favour Barry defecting to the north-west and should that happen it is unlikely Liverpool will have the financial clout to meet the Magpies’ price tag.
14 Comments
Benitez just doesn’t get it, does he? Barry has a price, it’s not negotiable, and he’s been told that time and time again.
I would happily lose Barry to gain Bentley, Sidwell and may be even Milner.
O’neil just doesnt get it, does he? Barry’s price is pants when you compare the valuation of Alonso (Champions lge winner) , if it’s not negotiable then keep him (fingers crossed) and have an unhappy player who will be treated with disdain next season by the villa unfaithful!
Bazza’a not good enough to play for us and most reds hope that he stays put !
Barry with Gerrard would be ideal for the reds and Rafa knows it. I am willing to lose Barry, but only to gain other good players. The top four need to earn their place on the pitch, not off it.
Phil Lynch: no, you just dont get it do you?
This time next year you will be losing the fight with Everton to be the best team in Liverpool, you are broke as a club, you cant even afford the cash for Barry, the owners hate each other and the Manager and the fans hate the owners and now all Villa fans hate you as well. When you don’t qualify for the Champions League next season and we finish above you then we will see whose fans are unfaithful.
Milner or Bentley? now thats a tough one!! Sod off Benitez and pay what Barrys worth - you would let gerrard gor for £15m would you?
Phil Lynch: The arrogance of red scouse fans is staggering. What part of ‘we don’t want to and don’t have to sell Barry’ don’t you get? We’ve more money than your debt-encrusted outfit, no debt whatsoever, and no desire to sell our players.
Did you treat Steeevie Geee with disdain when he didn’t get his way and move to Chelsea?
Well said Jasper. The scousers don’t get it. They haven’t got any money, not £20m, not £15m not £10. Their talk of David Villa is ridiculous, they will have to sell Torres to get him and then he will not want to go. They want to pay in installments and with players, but we will not be fobbed off like that. The fact is Alonso doesn’t want to leave Liverpool and Juventus are looking at the German midfielder instead. Barry is not a complete fool at all. He hasn’t asked for a transfer because he is not completely convinced of Liverpool as an option.
jasper carrot you aint got a clue son, spouting nonsense like villa finishing above us, how can anyone take you seriously?
villa will be nowhere as always just as night follows day.
somethings just dont change
Peace!
If Barry stays at Villa, he will never be looked upon in the same light again, his hero status is now in tatters and his once idolising Villa fans are turning their backs on him. On the footballing side, he will never be the player he was because his heart is not there anymore and on that basis alone we should let him go, but not on the cheap.
The underhanded way that Liverpool have gone about this business is disgusting, even using the opportunity to get to him via Steven gerrard while on England duty, now with the player totally unsettled they dont like the price. personally I would sell to the highest bidder other than Liverpool, just so they couldnt have him. In ending can I say thanks to Gareth for his ten years of great service and good luck wherever you may go other than Liverpool.
Jasper youre spot on mate they are already looking over their shoulder at everton ,and the power base is moving,what happenened to that great old club from anfield who always acted with dignity at all times but now choose to do their dirty washing in full view of everyone
@ Phil Lynch, Barry is not worth 20mil, granted, but Villa are not shopping him and will only sell him if the valuation is met. Its simple. We dont need to sell him, thats the whole point. There is no top 4 anymore, just top 3, Liverpool, Everton Villa are second tier now!
stroll on september.
it doesn’t matter what barry is worth, Do scousers not understand the fundamentals of business? the value is whatever the buyer will pay. Villa don’t need to sell, don’t want sell and Liverpool will probably give in eventually anyway, or barry will put in a transfer request and lose his loyalty bonuses which will save money. Liverpool have been disgusting in their public approach and to an extent so has Barry. Why should villa be walked all over? they should be commended for holding firm