National
Barry transfer talks put on hold
ASTON Villa manager Martin
O'Neill will hold further talks
with Liverpool target Gareth
Barry after Sunday's final Barclays
Premier League clash with
West Ham.
O'Neill has held an initial discussion
with the England midfielder
and Villa skipper, who
has been the subject of a playerplus-
cash offer from the Reds.
But the two sides have agreed
to put further dialogue aside as
Villa attempt to secure a UEFA
Cup spot with victory over Hammers
and hope Everton slip up
against Newcastle.
I've spoken to Gareth and we
will have further discussions
when the season is over,'' said
O'Neill.
He felt he had been affected
by the speculation. He felt it had
affected his game a little bit.
He wouldn't want that to happen
again with such an important
game coming up on Sunday
so we will speak again next
week.''
Villa owner Randy Lerner has
reiterated to O'Neill his desire to
keep Barry, who has two years
left of his current contract.
O'Neill added: Randy has exactly
the same opinion about
Gareth as myself. I spoke to him
the other day and he wants to
make all attempts to keep
Gareth at the club.
He wants to try to improve
the team, rather than dismantle
it. I don't think he is surprised
that big teams are after the best
players.
But his view is he wants Villa
to become a big team. That is
why he took the club over in the
first place, to help restore the
club to where it was.
Losing Gareth Barry is not
really part of the plan and
Randy really wants to keep him.
There is no surprise in clubs
being interested - but us wanting
to do business is a different
issue.''
Barry wants assurances from
O'Neill about whether Villa will
be capable of challenging the top
four and he is keen to experience
Champion's League football.
But reports suggest the 27-
year-old is edging nearer to the
Villa Park exit door.
9:31am Thursday 8th May 2008
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