EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL have tabled a £10m bid to bring Aston Villa star Gareth Barry to Anfield.
The offer was made yesterday as Rafa Benitez reacted to Liverpool's Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea by making an immediate move for his number one summer transfer target.
The Reds boss has earmarked Barry as a potential key signing and the centre piece of his rebuilding plans as he looks to put together a squad with enough strength in depth to be able to mount a genuine challenge for the Premier League title.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill has insisted he would be reluctant to let the England international leave Villa Park. But the 27-year-old central midfielder is keen to experience Champions League football and is believed to favour a transfer to Anfield, despite interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The two London clubs have been monitoring Barry's situation for several months and both are believed to be ready to test the water by make offers of their own.
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