Rafa Benitez has set his sights on this talented midfielder at the peak of his game, now all he needs to do is make an offer that Aston Villa can’t refuse!
Aston Villa have told Liverpool they are under no pressure to sell skipper Gareth Barry until the price is right which will be in the region of at least £18million.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill has no need to offload the England midfielder on the cheap because it is understood the deal will have no bearing on his own spending power during the summer.
O’Neill is believed to be aware of the funds he has at his disposal from club owner Randy Lerner. (Daily Mail)
Aston Villa will remain steadfast in their ?18million assessment of Gareth Barry, despite the player’s public admission that he wants to leave…
Villa fans received the worst news they could have hoped for when Barry recently announced that he is desperate to join Liverpool.The England midfielder rubbed salt into the wound by accusing the club of dismissing his requests, even claiming that manager Martin O’Neill has neglected him entirely while the Reds have been circling.
O’Neill hit back via the club’s official website, insisting he and the directors had made every attempt to lure their skipper into staying at Villa Park.
O’Neill and co had been demanding ?18million for the 27-year-old; a price they feel matches the going rate for similar players, such as Manchester United duo Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves (both around ?17million). (goal.com)
It seems clear that if Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill still has Gareth Barry on his books come the end of August, then he will have a very unhappy player on his hands. The England international has made it abundantly clear he wants to leave and, considering his years of loyalty to the club, it would be odd if his demands for a Villa Park exit were not heeded.
However the Midlands club deserve a fair price for their skipper and 18m seems more or less about right. Right now, I would rate him as higher than both Man United players quoted above. Rafa is also being very wise in biding his time, knowing that a sale will sooner or later have to occur and seems more keen on a bid in the region of £16m.
Do Liverpool fans think that ?18m is about right for Gareth Barry?