Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has become the unlikely key to unlock the Gareth Barry transfer puzzle.
The 32-year-old, whose position is now under threat at Anfield after the arrival of Philipp Degen, has been tossed into the deal by Reds boss Rafa Benitez.
Martin O’Neill wants a straight £18m bid but could be prepared to compromise with Villa now desperate for a right-back.
Following the departure of makeshift full-back Olof Mellberg, O’Neill would welcome a specialist right-sided defender who has played 50 times for Ireland.
In a deal which has seen Peter Crouch, Scott Carson and even Jermaine Pennant mentioned as part of the player-exchange, Finnan could finally be the answer to the deadlock.
Liverpool value Finnan at around £2m and with a bid of around £16m, Barry could finally be on his way.
The transfer has proved to be one of the messiest of the summer, even rivalling Real Madrid’s chase of Ronaldo as a back page fixture.
Many involved in the haggling believe there could be a breakthrough this week with Barry finally getting his wish and a transfer to Liverpool.
Benitez had hoped to fund the deal with £15m from Juventus although the Italians seem to be cooling their interest in Euro 2008 winner Xabi Alonso.
But with Crouch likely to tie up his £11m move to Portsmouth today, Benitez will at least have some room for manoeuvre.
O’Neill has been looking to solve the right-back problem for some time.
With targets Jose Bosingwa and Pascal Chimbonda slipping through his grasp and Justin Hoyte unlikely to leave Arsenal this summer, Finnan would be a welcome addition to the ranks as somebody who would hit the ground running.
With Villa due to kick-off their Intertoto Cup campaign in 13 days time, the clock is ticking for O’Neill.
For his part, Finnan would be keen on one final move and the chance to reignite his career after falling down the Anfield defensive pecking order last season.
New Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has recently convinced the Limerick-born player to reverse his decision to quit international football.
2 Comments
Again Liverpool are trying to use their cast offs as makeweight for Barry’s transfer fee. I’m not doubting that Finnan has been or may even still be a decent right back and believe me I have nothing against the lad, but he is 32 years old and doesn’t come with a great reputation.
Why doesn’t Benitez sell him to someone else for 2m and then he will have the cash to buy Barry, that way the cash we get for Barry will buy us a better younger right back and a first class goalie…..simple innit
no disrespect to finnan but liverpools pricing seems very bizarre, they want silly prices for players they are happy to let go yet seem to want us to sell our captain and best player for less than we want?
the balance of power could be about to shift on merseyside, liverpool dont appear to have any money, and what they have will be thrown at their new stadium, david moyes is an astute manager who seems to buy wisely and get results.
perhaps we will not only be battling liverpool for barry, we could be battling it out with them for 5th place too.