Gaz Baz

[dww]

Thats fair enough i just don't want us to get involved in it like we did last summer and it ending up dominating our summer with a will he won't he sign bollocks and question marks hanging over Xabi at the same time.

IMO swapping Xabi for barry would be like having a BMW m3 and swapping it for a 330. Yeah they are both great cars but the m3 just has the little extra.

I think they do very different things. I worry that if we sold Alonso we would still be an option short in midfield. I think we need four realistic options competing and offering different things. I think we have missed a player who gives drive from deep and might burst forward as Barry does for Villa this season but we would equally miss someone who has controlled games from deep if we sold Barry. Last season Alonso didn't do his job well enough for me to think we couldn't replace him, this season he has stepped up and it would be very hard.

I hope that Rafa's new found control of transfer policy will mean that we are more likely to be able to coordinate our overall policy. I think the Barry/Keane delays were as much down to internal decision making structures being poor as they were the stances of the selling clubs. We have to set a value for Barry and then go for the deal if we really want him, if Villa hold out for more we have to move on quickly.

[MrMichael]

Manchester City & Milan Hope To Beat Liverpool To Aston Villa's Gareth Barry - Report

Goal.com

According to a report in the British tabloid The People, Premier League money men Manchester City and Italian giants Milan are planning to hijack Liverpool's move for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry at the end of the season.

The Villans have reportedly slapped a €11.3 million price-tag (£10m) on the England international.

The Sunday Mirror claims that Martin O’Neill is unwilling to accept anything less than that for the 28-year-old, despite Barry having only one year left on his current contract.

Liverpool are expected to renew their interest in the 28-year-old at the end of the season, despite spending the majority of last summer attempting, and failing, to snare the Villa captain.

According to the report in the tabloid newspaper, City, as well as the Rossoneri, are apparently ready to offer the 6ft midfielder wages in the region of €113,720-a-week (£100,000), amounting to around €21.8m (£19.2m) over four years.

This could rule the Merseyside outfit out of the race for his signature as they, as well as Arsenal who are also said to be monitoring his situation, will not be able to offer such terms.

It is also reported that the Citizens are considering offering England international defender Micah Richards as part of the deal, in the hope of having first option on Barry.

While his potential destination remains unclear, it seems almost certain Barry will leave Villa Park this summer after manager Martin O’Neill admitted he will not stand in his way.

“The price, obviously with a year left to run, is a different issue,” he told the Sunday Mirror.

“But, by the same token, he is an England international player, he has captained his country and he is still only 28-years-old.

“He wouldn’t come cheaply, even in this day and age.”

The news is unlikely to impress Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez with funds reportedly an issue at Anfield.

Indeed, the Spaniard may have to sell before he can buy with Xabi Alonso the man widely tipped to leave in order for Barry to arrive.

They may be more encouraged by the news that the midfielder hopes to play in the Champions League, which would rule out a move to Manchester City, although Milan may be an attractive proposition.

[Leyton388]

Got to love the people.

He wants to leave Villa for CL football and yet they come to the conclusion that City have a chance on signing him! Never going to happen as even though he would earn a **** load it is a hugh step down from villa IMO.

Milan will not sign him either as i very much doubt he will want to go to Italy.

[MrsB]

He's too young for Milan.

[dww]

He's too young for Milan.

I wonder if that might change a bit this summer. Surely this has to be the point (especially if Ancelloti moves on) when they start to freshen up.

I think it was Neil Young who pointed out that Ancelloti going to Chelsea was a sign that they wanted to get the best out of their aging squad and go for Europe. Maybe the willingness of Berlusconi to attack Ancelotti of late is as much a signal of the fact he needs to change his approach as one of being annoyed that Ancelloti is off.

[DannyMan2006]

If we want Barry we will get him, as long as he fits in Rafas first team plans.

O'Neils pleas for Barry to stay have been ridiculous at best. I laughed out loud at his argument he should not join us because we would not match his valuation last year, yet signed Keane for more. For a start that was down to Rick Parry, not Rafa who wanted to push the boat out for him!

[lickedlollipop]

He's too young for Milan.

[dww]

Barry offered new Villa contract
BBC

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner says he is "optimistic" midfielder Gareth Barry will stay at the club after offering the England international a new deal.

Barry, 28, almost joined Liverpool last summer before the deal collapsed after the Anfield club failed to meet the £18m asking price.

"We have discussed a new contract with Gareth," Lerner told BBC Sport.

"I would give Barry the highest ranking possible. He's the best - a gentleman, a great player, leader and captain."

Speculation was rife before the start of the season that Barry, who had stated his desire to join Rafa Benitez's side, was set to sign for the Reds.

But after Liverpool failed to match Villa's asking fee, which resulted in Benitez criticising Reds co-owner Tom Hicks, Barry changed his mind, to the delight of Lerner.

"I don't think anyone could do better than Gareth on any level," said the Villa owner, who gave a rare interview to BBC Radio 5 Live's Brian Alexander and other journalists.

"Am I optimistic Gareth will stay? Yes, I am optimistic. It is my nature.

"He is currently really speaking to (manager) Martin O'Neill and that is the natural process. They will get into it and it will all get handled in the normal ways."

Lerner added that he was willing to run down the midfielder's current deal, which has 12 months left, if Barry does not sign a new contract.

You are talking about a player who is an integral part of your potential success

Lerner on Barry

That would mean Barry could leave at the end of next season without Villa receiving a transfer fee.

"Am I happy for him to wind down his current contract? That's his decision. If it means he is staying another year, I am absolutely happy," said Lerner.

"Even though Villa would lose £10 to £12m? Yes, absolutely. You are talking about a player who is an integral part of your potential success.

"That is in terms of playing more games, to winning competitions etc. That is similarly lucrative to a transfer fee this summer when you think about what you can achieve with a player like that.

"It is not like you forego the proceeds and you are getting nothing back."

The American, who took control of Villa in 2006, said he was also confident that manager O'Neill would remain at the Birmingham club for the foreseeable future, even though he continues to operate on a 12-month rolling contract.

[MrMichael]

Lerner willing to let Liverpool target Barry leave Aston Villa for free - next year

Daily Mail, 26th May 2009

Randy Lerner is optimistic Gareth Barry will remain at Aston Villa after revealing a new contract has been discussed with the England midfielder.

But Villa's American multi-millionaire owner is also prepared to wind down Barry's current deal, which has another 12 months to run, even though it would cost the club between £10million and £12m in transfer revenue.

Barry almost quit Villa last summer to join Liverpool before the deal collapsed after the Reds failed to meet the £18m asking price.

Lerner recognises the importance of Barry to Villa which is why he would be prepared for him to stay for another season and then walk away for nothing as a free agent.

Lerner said: 'We have discussed a new contract with Gareth. I would give Barry the highest ranking possible. He is the best. He is a gentleman, a great player, a pleasure to be around, a leader, a great captain.

'I don't think anyone could do better than Gareth on any level. Am I optimistic Gareth will stay? Yes, I am optimistic. It is my nature.

'He is currently really speaking to Martin O'Neill and that is the natural process. They will get into it and it will all get handled in the normal ways.'

He added: 'Am I happy for him to wind down his current contract? That's his decision. If it means he is staying another year, I am absolutely happy.

'Even though Villa would lose £10m-£12m Yes, absolutely. You are talking about a player who is an integral part of your potential success.

'That is in terms of playing more games to winning competitions etc. That is similarly lucrative (to a transfer fee this summer) when you think about what you can achieve with a player like that.

'It is not like you forego the proceeds and you are getting nothing back.

'You are keeping him on the team, the team continues to compete and you are rewarded with successful results. There is more to do it than foregoing money.'

Lerner does not believe Barry's departure would send out a pessimistic signal in terms of attracting other top players.

And he is adamant that the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young would not follow Barry through the Villa Park exit door if quits after 12 years.

Lerner said: 'I don't think given the circumstances that it would send out a bad signal if Gareth left knowing what has happened, how long he has been with the club, and that he has articulated his ambitions at different times.

'If clubs come in for Gabby and Ashley, will we sell them? No. There is no way right now I could imagine that happening.'

Lerner is also confident that O'Neill will remain in charge at Villa for the forseeable future even though he continues to operate on a 12 month rolling contract.

[SimonNo7]

From BBC site:

Barry holds talks with Man City

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry is in talks with Manchester City about a move to Eastlands.

Barry, 28, was linked with Liverpool in the summer of 2008 but the Reds could not meet Villa's £18m asking price.

The England international has been offered a new deal to remain at Villa Park beyond the end of next season - when his current contract expires.

Villa reached the Europa League by ending the 2008-09 Premier League season in sixth, four spots above City.

More soon.

[hockin_monster]

Barry

Looks like the games have started to get him out of Villa. I wonder if it will force us to move quickly?

He's hardly likely to go to Man City is he? He said he'd only move for Cl football. But money can be a big motivator!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8079088.stm

[RedSpartan]

Gateth Barry in talks with City

Barry is apparently holding talk with Man City.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5359417,00.html

Either we're not in for him, or he's just after the money.

Hopefully thie means Xabi is going no where.

[Vermilion]

Barry is apparently holding talk with Man City.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5359417,00.html

Either we're not in for him, or he's just after the money.

Hopefully thie means Xabi is going no where.

[The Birdman]

Is this the same Gareth Barry of the same Aston Villa who high and mighty O'Neil and Learner said would leave on a free at the end of next season because they weren't going to cash in on their star asset???
I think Learner's quote was something along the lines of "if we get £12 million for Gareth it still wouldn't match the rewards for winning a competition or breaking into the top 4 so I have no intention of selling him"

I honestly can't stand Martin O'Neil (not connected or relevant I know)

[Imy]

He may be after the money, i suppose this would be his last big contract before he goes downhill so you can't reallly blame him for that. I believe though Man City actually offered Villa the asking price (probably some stupendous amount) and thus he 'has' to talk to them.

On a side note man City look to be building a good team, Barry plus possibly Tevez and god knows what other world stars could equal Champions League Challengers.