Villa Signings and General Rumours Thread

Bounty Hunter

on a quiet afternoon for Villa, here is the days transfer roundup:

19-year-old AEK Athens centre half Sokratis Papastathopoulos is linked to Villa according to the people, the youngster has been tipped to have a big Euro 2008.... not that i had ever heard of him before if im honest.

The News of the World also say that West Bromwich Albion are going to pay £3.5million to buy Villa striker Luke Moore permanently after his loan move of last season. This was expected but is still good as Moore had his chance an unfortunatley doesent seem like he can fulfill his potential a la his brother at VP. Really hope the ex-player curse doesent strike though when we face them in the replacement derby next season.

and finally the people also report that Villa hav made "Significant moves" with regard to signing Cardiffs Aaron Ramsey, although so have Man utd, Everton, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Helix

One Cold Hand wrote: »

I don't think we should sign ALL those players. That would be going overboard!

yeah 15 keepers is a bit much, we only need about 12

Helix

If Aston Villa's teenage sensation Nathan Delfouneso makes it to the senior team and becomes a Premiership star in the next year or so, Hong Kong fans can say they saw him first.
The Soccer Sevens are well-known for showcasing up-and-coming talent, and Delfouneso's introduction to the tournament is one to savour.

Just like his predecessor, Gabriel Agbonlahor, the Villa star who wowed fans two years ago, 17-year-old Delfouneso looks set for greater things judging by his superb performance in the main competition yesterday.

Coming off the bench in the second half, Delfouneso scored the winning goal in Villa's 1-0 success over the Yau Yee Select.

Picking up the ball from outside the box, Delfouneso twisted and turned to evade his marker and in a flash unleashed a fierce shot into the top corner of the net. It brought a smile to the face of Villa academy director Bryan Jones, who believes the youngster has the qualities to make the big time.

"Nathan has come through the ranks and has been with us since he was nine years old. We're pleased with that side of it and it's nice to bring somebody through the system at that very early age. He had a good season," said Jones.

"The manager gave him a squad number a couple of months following his performances at youth level and in reserves. He's our leading goal scorer at youth level [27 goals]."

Jones said it was important for his players to gain experience in hot and humid conditions.

"We tend to bring the top-quality young players because it's a good experience for them. I was talking to Nathan yesterday and I said to him the main reason for bringing him here was because of the heat," he said.

"That's because if you jump into the first team in the next six to eight months, you'll have to play in temperatures like this."

Asked whether the teenager would end up playing in the senior team, Jones said: "We would like to think he will get his chance. I think next year, if he continues to develop and get his head right, he has a chance."

Meanwhile, Delfouneso was happy to soak up the experience of playing in Asia for the first time.

"Villa have seen what I am capable of doing and are hopefully happy with what I am doing. If I work hard enough in the pre-season and post-season with the youth team, I'll get into the first team," said Delfouneso, who along with Barry Bannan and Mark Albrighton are considered outstanding prospects for the Villans.

"Hopefully, by next year, I'll get into the first team. That's my target. This year has been a very good year," said the England youth international.

"I've been with the academy since I was nine years old and I have worked hard ever since.

"I'm enjoying it and hopefully I will continue to play well in the next couple of years.

"A tournament like this is very good for my education where there is heat and humidity and playing football in a different place and experiencing different cultures. If I am going to make it into the first team, I'll be playing in conditions like these, so it's good for me."

Delfouneso was confident Villa would reach the main competition final again as they chase a fourth title.

"We have the players to do it. We have good technical players and if we play the way we can, we can beat anybody. I am confident we can go on to win it again," he said.

the fonz produces the goods in the far east

Bounty Hunter

Martin Laursen being realistic/honest about Villa and the Future

The Great Dane wrote:

The requirement is to get good players and they're not cheap," said Laursen.

"So we need a lot of money to buy good players and to buy the right players.

"That's the manager's job but he needs a lot of money because, if not, we can't compete with the big clubs."

"We have proved we can do very well with a small group of players and this squad has a lot of potential." continued Laursen.

"If we qualify for the UEFA Cup, then we need some more quality players because 16 won't be enough.

"We haven't had any injuries and if we're going to play in Europe that would be a big ask as well because a lot of us also have international games. There are some important qualifiers coming up so it will be hard."

"It's very nice to be back in Europe again," he said. "We were very happy to achieve that and I think it summed up our season. We deserved it. We scored a lot of goals - admittedly we conceded too many as well - but we were brilliant away from home and I see a good future here, definitely."

"It was very special to play in every game. It was the highlight of my career because I played my best football ever," he explained.

"I felt so good physically after all those problems with my knee, so last season was special for me.

"It was also special because my contract ran out and the club extended it so I can only be pleased with my season."

"I was disappointed to see Olof leave, of course," he said.

"He had been almost an ever-present for the last seven years. He always gave 100 per cent for the club and the fans. He was one of the best players here every season. His departure is a big blow."

invincibleirish

I doubt much is going to happen on the transfer front between now & after the Euros as most potential targets are surely on holiday or involved with their national team.

surely MON is using this time to get a well deserved holiday in, no doubt given MONs party boy rep he's probably tearing it up in Ayia Napa or the like.

Kudos on the Youth Team/Kiddy porn pics (well they do look pretty young) info posted above, this Delfuenso fellow has been whispered about in hushed tones for a while now.

One Cold Hand

From the Gossip column on F365:

'Aston Villa are lining up Charleroi striker Mouhamadou Habib Habibou as they prepare to sell Marlon Harewood, who interests Stoke, Fulham and Rangers'

Never heard of this guy, but I really hope we sign him just for the songs we could make up about him!

shoutman

Just incase no one heard. Luke Moore has signed for West Brom for an initial £3m fee.

DSB

Surprised we got 3 million to be honest.

shoutman

Yea I'm happy with it.

DSB

He'll most likely flop next season but then have a good season in the Championship if West Brom do go down.

invincibleirish

So Randy Lerner is coming to the UK & Villa to next season:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/28/astonvilla

Lerner heads for Midlands to run Aston VillaAmerican owner will take on chief executive's role and concentrate power into his own hands
Stuart James The Guardian, Wednesday May 28 2008 Article historyRandy Lerner, the Aston Villa owner and chairman, is set to take over the position of chief executive officer and have a more active role in the running of the club. The post has been vacant since Richard FitzGerald unexpectedly left in January and Lerner is understood to have no intention of appointing anyone to fill the position.

The US billionaire, who completed a £67m takeover in August 2006, will establish a permanent residence in the Midlands next season, enabling him to have a greater influence. It is possible that Lerner will not give himself the official title, but sources have made it clear that the Villa owner will take on the post's day-to-day responsibilities .

The news will be welcomed by Villa fans who, in stark contrast to several other Premier League clubs, have embraced foreign ownership. Lerner is seen as the catalyst behind the club's recent renaissance and while the new management structure carries overtones of the much-maligned previous regime, when Doug Ellis operated without any checks, few supporters will harbour concerns.

Lerner has earned the trust of the fans, even if eyebrows have been raised at the boardroom upheaval at the club in the last 18 months. Steve Stride, the former operations director, FitzGerald and, more recently, Michael Cunnah, who was appointed in December to oversee commercial development and stadium changes, have all departed. The long-serving Stride had been expected to step down, but the same cannot be said for FitzGerald and Cunnah.

Those departures suggest that Lerner, who sold the MBNA shares he inherited from his father for $2.5bn in 2006, is keen to streamline the board and reduce the levels of command. The 46-year-old's desire to take on a more hands-on role is likely to be welcomed by Martin O'Neill, the manager, who has always preferred to speak directly with the owner to discuss key decisions.

Hmm, interesting, over at VT they're reckoning it means RL will take a more hands on approach to Transfers? i am going to guess his plans for Villa are stepping up a gear.

Bounty Hunter

Guzan is on for USA vs England on BBC now (HT sub)

invincibleirish

Barry with the assist for Gerrard. hmmm.....

Bounty Hunter

invincibleirish wrote: »

Barry with the assist for Gerrard. hmmm.....

was only on the pitch abut 30secs when he did so too

Esse85

I hope Young gets a run out.

invincibleirish

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

was only on the pitch abut 30secs when he did so too

Talked about as England Captain for the Trinidad game in the London Times a few days ago, so thats a goalscoring England Captain, maybe £20m isnt enough? after all Liverpool or Chelsea wouldnt sell their Midfield England Captains as little as £20m would they?(well i dunno about Lamps)

Esse85

Barry wants more talks about his future, Maloney admits he may have to leave and Guzan says he'd love to work with MON

invincibleirish

Esse85 wrote: »

Barry wants more talks about his future, Maloney admits he may have to leave and Guzan says he'd love to work with MON

Barry needs to be loved and reassured. a fat contract(maybe this is where Lerner can be of personal assistance), some quality signings and some soothing words in his ear from MON about where Villa are going to go should go a long way to keeping him at Villa.

Maloney will never be a starter for Villa. how about sending him back to Celtic as a component in a McGeady deal?

Im intrigued by Guzan, it seems that the US has a decent line in producing keepers.

Bounty Hunter

invincibleirish wrote: »

Maloney will never be a starter for Villa. how about sending him back to Celtic as a component in a McGeady deal?

Im intrigued by Guzan, it seems that the US has a decent line in producing keepers.

would like Villa to sign Maloney especially if Young was to switch to RW. Think he could continue to develop at Villa moreso than in Scotland and it would be a continued sign that Villa are moving forward and in a way that is for the long term. Havent really seen him linked though which is odd for a decent player at Celtic.

Guzan will prob get a work permit if we do try again as he continues to get Int Caps as evident by his 2nd half appearance vs England yesterday.

shoutman

Also Berger has gone back to prague, good riddance.

invincibleirish

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

would like Villa to sign Maloney especially if Young was to switch to RW. Think he could continue to develop at Villa moreso than in Scotland and it would be a continued sign that Villa are moving forward and in a way that is for the long term. Havent really seen him linked though which is odd for a decent player at Celtic.

Actually in a perfect world id like to keep Maloney and get McGeady, Maloney can be handy as a supersub, and as the PL is going to 7 subs on the bench for next season he is a good 'option'
to have there, though whether he is going to be content with that type of role i dont know.

Eventually McGeady will realise he'll need to leave the SPL if he wants to develop fully as a player, he better not leave it as late as Maloney did. Every year counts and how old is he now? If Strachan leaves im sure his mind may wander, surely with MON at VP Villa will have effective 1st pick, cant see the top 2 or Arsenal/Liverpool wanting/affording him?.

DSB

Players like Maloney definitely shouldn't be leaving. We're trying to build a bigger squad, not just a better one.

Bounty Hunter

invincibleirish wrote: »

Im guessing thats a typo:D, actually in a perfect world id like to keep Maloney and get McGeady, Maloney can be handy as a supersub, and as the PL is going to 7 subs on the bench for next season he is a good 'option'
to have there, though whether he is going to be content with that type of role i dont know.

Eventually McGeady will realise he'll need to leave the SPL if he wants to develop fully as a player, he better not leave it as late as Maloney did. Every year counts and how old is he now? If Strachan leaves im sure his mind may wander, surely with MON at VP Villa will have effective 1st pick, cant see the the top 2 or Arsenal/Liverpool wanting him?.

yup was a typo. Would Like to see Maloney stay too and hope barely anyone leaves VP tbh as we cant afford it with our small squad. Maloney is 22 since april.

surprised nobody mentioned this (although its only a rumour and the Daily Star)

BBC Rumours:
Aston Villa will launch an £8m bid to sign England's rising goalkeeper Joe Hart from Manchester City. (Daily Star)

would love to see Hart at Villa as he seems to be what everyone hoped Carson could be, young and hugely Talented future England
no.1

edit: also from The Guardians rumour column
"Martin O'Neill has tired of playing centre-halves, midfielders, the kitman and some bloke he met down the pub the other night at right-back and wants Atletico Madrid's Giourkas Seitaridis to fill the gaping hole in his Villa masterplan."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giourkas_Seitaridis

Esse85

[QUOTE=Bounty Hunter;56082799 Maloney is 22 since april.

[/QUOTE]

I taught Maloney was about 25

Bounty Hunter

Esse85 wrote: »

I taught Maloney was about 25

damnx2 keep typing maloney instead of McGeady:D

King John V

He's 25 alright.
http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10265~19708,00.html

Esse85

If Dunne is gonna leave City for £5mil which is the figure being mentioned at the minute then i think we should attempt to sign him. I know RB is the main priority but i think he'd be a bargain at this price. I think we should offer £10mil for Dunne and Hart.

I wish the Barry saga would come to an end, is he waiting to be offered a major new deal or are Liverpool waiting to sell Alonso to Juve and Crouch to Pompey to finance the deal?

King John V

Esse85 wrote: »

If Dunne is gonna leave City for £5mil which is the figure being mentioned at the minute then i think we should attempt to sign him. I know RB is the main priority but i think he'd be a bargain at this price. I think we should offer £10mil for Dunne and Hart.

I wish the Barry saga would come to an end, is he waiting to be offered a major new deal or are Liverpool waiting to sell Alonso to Juve and Crouch to Pompey to finance the deal?

Regarding Barry, It's still up in the air at the minute. It looks like if the price is right he'll move to the pool. The Alonso deal could drag until the end of August as the Olympics will weaken the CM area. So yeah, any move for Barry would be financed by Crouch to Pompey and/or trade with cash with Carson included. That's assuming Barry decides to switch of course!

What are Villa fans' views of him as a player and captain?

shoutman

He's a great player and a great captain. Loyal servent to the club who no one wants to leave. If he was to leave there would not be boos for him on his return.

I am a bit disappointed that he seems so reluctant to sign a new deal, his silence is clearly saying that he is looking to move on.

He is not irreplacable but it will be hard to find another one like him.

DSB

Its slightly worrying that with our tiny squad, we've already seen Moore and Berger leave, and constant strong rumours of Barry and Harewood leaving. Surely this will necessitate O'Neill bringing in about 8-10 players in now if we're gonna challenge in/for Europe?

Savman

DSB wrote: »

Its slightly worrying that with our tiny squad, we've already seen Moore and Berger leave

Yeah cos they played such a huge part last season! :pac:

Esse85

I hope it wont be like last season in that MON lets players leave first, then replaces them. We really cant afford to do that again.

Re Barry, great player, he'll keep going all day, not the most vocal as a captain, good delivery of the ball, a deadly left foot and his biggest quality i feel is his consistency.

Thanks for nothing Berger:mad:

DSB

Savman wrote: »

Yeah cos they played such a huge part last season! :pac:

They might have if we'd had injuries though. Although I think Berger was one of our few injuries.

shoutman

Balou's agent has said he's going no where unless villa tell him he's surplus to requirements he's quite happy benching it and being supersub.

Neil3030

Some rumours from tribal football:

Milner has supposedly been confirmed as available by Newcastle, for a fee of €5m, with Liverpool and Villa monitoring his situation.

Hugo Campagnaro's agent is flying to England to meet Villa, Spurs and a "top club"s representatives

Keane wants to bring Maloney to Sunderland, with Villa believed to be demanding £4m.

Neil3030

Christ I'm just seeing that if Barry, Harewood and Maloney do leave, our squad will be:

Wilfred Bouma
Martin Laursen
Ashley Young
John Carew
Gabriel Agbonlahor
Stuart Taylor
Curtis Davies (injured)
Zat Knight
Moustapha Salifou
Wayne Routledge
Stiliyan Petrov
Nigel Reo-Coker
Craig Gardner

13 players!!!

With possible youth recruits of:
Nathan Delfouneso
Isaiah Osbourne
Stephen O'Halloran
Chris Herd
Zoltan Stieber

Bounty Hunter

the SWP link is back again...as is the Lehmann one it seems

Villa plot move for Chelsea star
Villa are weighing up whether to make a fresh move for Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Boss Martin O’Neill is a big admirer of the England international and made a move for the 26-year-old during Jose Mourinho’s time at the club in January 2007.

Back then, O’Neill baulked at the £10m asking price and estimated £70,000 a week wages. Wright-Phillips’ lack of action since then means he could be available at a much more reasonable rate and Villa may be prepared to pay £8m.

They face stiff competition from Newcastle for his signature, as the player is also on Kevin Keegan’s wish-list. Villa will be hoping the clout brought about by their sixth-place finish and the ambition of O’Neill and chairman Randy Lerner to fund a Champions League bid can attract top names.

Wayne Routledge signed in January, but he hasn’t started a game yet and Villa desperately lack right-sided wide cover. The former Manchester City wide man would be an alternative to Blackburn’s David Bentley, whose expected price of £15m is far more than O’Neill would pay.

Villa also face stiff competition for City defender Richard Dunne, who is set to leave this summer. The Republic of Ireland defender is also being tracked by Spurs.

But they are stepping up their pursuit of freed Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann as they look to fill the gap left by Scott Carson and Thomas Sorensen.

It is believed Villa would only consider doing business at a price of between £3m to £4m for Carson, who spent last season on loan at Villa from Liverpool.

Sunderland have been linked with a possible £4m move for Shaun Maloney while striker Marlon Harewood is attracting interest from promoted Stoke, Fulham and Wigan.

8m would be a good price but how many times have we been linked to him now?

King John V

SWP would be a classy buy for Villa, especially at 8m. But the crucial factor would be his (I'd imagine) very high wages at Chelsea. But if Villa could negotiate that down with the tempting prospect of regular first team action and a european place, he along with young Sidwell could make very good signings. Sidwell would probably move for a fee around the 7m mark (guesstimate) and could fill the Barry shaped gap next season if there'll be one. A 15m Barry transfer could end up covering SWP+Sidwell.

Davey Devil

Gerrard has been sticking his oar in.

BBC wrote:

Steven Gerrard has said he is "desperate" for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry to join him at Liverpool.

Barry, who is expected to lead England against Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday, will talk about his future after he returns from international duty.

"I want Gareth Barry to become a Liverpool player. I am desperate for us to sign him," said Gerrard.

"He's a good player. I want Liverpool to be as strong as possible and Gareth Barry will certainly make us stronger."

Gerrard's comments are likely to rile Villa manager Martin O'Neill who has already criticised Liverpool's handling of the situation.

O'Neill is determined to keep hold of his captain and earlier this month claimed Liverpool's £10m cash plus player bid undervalued the midfielder.

But Gerrard, a good friend of the 27-year-old, believed Barry, who has two years remaining on his contract, needed to play Champions League football.

"Gareth Barry is someone who will improve Liverpool. We can't be disrespectful to Villa. He is still their player and we will see what happens," said Gerrard.

"Naturally, they are going to try and keep hold of him, and rightly so because he is one of their star men. He has been a fantastic servant for them over many years.

"I know all about Gareth, I am good friends with him off the pitch and I am desperate for us to sign him.

"You talk about improving the team, the starting XI and the squad, and Gareth will certainly help Liverpool to become a better team.

"It is easy to play with good players. I've been asked a lot of questions this season about Fernando Torres and the simple answer is 'it's easier playing with quality players' - and Gareth comes into that category."

Barry has only ever played for Villa and is due a testimonial, having signed professional forms with the club in February 1998.

Gerrard added: "I am sure Gareth will find it hard to leave Villa. He has been fantastic for them but, in football, sometimes opportunities come along where you can better your career.

"I think Gareth is 27 now and he needs to play Champions League football. In my opinion, he needs that now.

"I've enjoyed playing with him for England. He is quite an easy player to play with. He keeps it simple, he is easy to read and I certainly enjoy playing with him because I've got a good relationship on and off the pitch."

Bounty Hunter

finally a few weeks after being told how to put youtube clips on here im giving it a try. Probably should have watched em first but 10mins of the best Villa goals ever (supposidly) and a 4min tribute to Villa through the ages.

invincibleirish

Davey Devil wrote: »

Gerrard has been sticking his oar in.

What a joke, does Gerrard even have a degree of class or is being Rafas puppet on strings really all that he can say?

mormank

all gerrard is saying is that he wants to sign his mate. surely not that bad.

also soltan stieber is gonna be a good player. if ye get him, ye will like what ye see

Bounty Hunter

mormank wrote: »

also soltan stieber is gonna be a good player. if ye get him, ye will like what ye see

do you mean Zoltan Steiber? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zolt%C3%A1n_Stieber

hes already a Villa player but was out on loan with Yeovil this season

invincibleirish

spot the non Villa fan

*edit* who says only the tabloids do good leadlines

Gerrard stokes feud by urging Barry to move

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/31/premierleague.liverpool

Savman

Just lost a lot of respect I had for Gerard, no class about him or his club at all. Had about enough of this saga now tbh, hope O'Neill sorts it sooner rather than later.

Raekwon

I don't think any players should be getting involved in the current Barry transfer saga so it sort of surprised me that Gerrard needed to voice his opinions on the matter (but then again nothing surprises me about Liverpool anymore). I don't remember John Terry or Frank Lampard telling Gerrard that he needed to come to Stamford Bridge when he nearly signed for Chelsea back in the summer of 05.

As for Benitez, he is the biggest hypocrite in the Premiership and is losing alot of respect. I really don't understand how he can bid £10m for Barry then turn around and slap a £10m price tag on Carson and £15m on Crouch, it reeks of arrogance. He did the same thing last summer with Bellemy, he was looking for £12m for an injury prone trouble maker and when nobody came in for him he cut his losses and sold him to West Ham for £8m in what was the probably the worst deal of the summer.

IMO Carson is worth £6m at the most so Villa should get him for £4m (we paid £2m already for his loan) and Crouch should be priced at around £8m although a club like Newcastle could possibly be willing to pay over £10m for him.

Bounty Hunter

Bill Howell Birmingham mail wrote:

Aston Villa in waiting game over Steve Sidwell
May 30 2008 By Bill Howell

VILLA are having to play a waiting game before they can unveil Steve Sidwell as they first summer signing because Chelsea are unwilling to let him out until they appoint their new manager.

Martin O'Neill was all set to announce the £4.5million transfer of the former Reading player this week and is now left to drag his heels.

But Sidwell's arrival is all-but sealed and will be financed by the sale of Scottish international Shaun Maloney who is wanted by Sunderland.

O'Neill's pursuit of a goalkeeper rests on Manchester United's decision to allow Ben Foester out on loan whilst they will try again for a work permit for Brad Guzan.

Tottenham's Aaron Lennon is thought to top his right-sided wish-list which also includes team-mate Tom Huddlestone, although the futures of Shaun Wright-Phillips at Chelsea and James Milner at Newcastle are, naturally, being viewed as alternatives as O'Neill continues to build an English core to his squad.

Meanwhile, reports in Itlay have suggested that Villa are on standby should the transfer of Argentinian right-back Hugo Campagnaro to Juventus fall through.

The Sampdoria defender's agent has revealed that both Villa and Tottenham are chasing his client.

Massimo Camarlinghi said: "The negotiations with Juve are moving forward, but I must add that I plan a trip to England to consider the offers of some clubs. Aston Villa, Tottenham and a top club seem concerned."

Its only a miss mash of recent news tbh honest but its the first bit id be most interested in.... Villa waiting till Chelsea's new boss is appointed to confirm 4.5m deal for sidwell. Cant imagine any new manager at Chelsea thinking Sidwell wasnt surplus to requirements and that would be a good price too. Infact hopefully whoever takes over at Chelsea does a MON and akes the squad far smaller getting rid of people who dont play much, like SWP etc

actually were supposed to be looking for another CB atm, how about Khalid "the Cannibal" Boulahrouz? think he returns to Chelsea from Sevilla where he was on loan this season.

and of course the

will be financed by the sale of Scottish international Shaun Maloney who is wanted by Sunderland.

bit is utter rubbish.

and today the Hart rumour resurfaced (would love him at Villa)

MANCHESTER City are eyeing Peterborough United’s England called-up keeper Joe Lewis as a replacement for Joe Hart.

Aston Villa are ready to make a £10 million swoop for Hart who is unhappy with a City deal which gives him an understood £10,000 a week.

However, no moves will be made until owner Taksin Shinawatra has decided on manager Sven Goran-Eriksson’s future.

Eriksson is aware of Lewis' potential via his contacts with the England camp and will swoop on the 21-year-old should Hart move on.

Bounty Hunter

taken from the Liverpool thread:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4052685.ece

Its the first time ive seen Barry quoted in an article so its relevant and unfortunatley isnt exactley what we want to hear although of course he is diplomatic and never says hes going to Liverpool or that he is staying at Villa.

here are the quotes:

“Just to think about it makes it a tough decision,” Barry said yesterday. “There's so much to lose at Aston Villa. I've been there more than ten years, got a good rapport with the fans, I'm captain there and have a great relationship with the manager.

“But Champions League football helps any player. You only have to look at the England squad to see the amount of players who get in the squad and start the games - the majority play in the Champions League. That's all about the decision that will have to be made. Liverpool are in the Champions League and Villa are trying to push for that. That's all part of my decision if a bid gets accepted.”

“It was a bit of a surprise to see Steven go so public,” Barry said. “It's obviously very flattering the team has made a bid for me, but until the bid gets accepted I can't even think about it.

“I would like things cleared up, the sooner the better. It would be easier for myself and for the fans as well, so I'm sure we can get it done pretty soon. I've got nothing planned with Martin O'Neill, but I'm sure the manager will want to speak to me and I'll eventually want to speak to the manager. That will come soon enough.”

and about being england captain:

“If you were to lead the team out from the beginning, I could have looked at it a different way, but it was still a great feeling just to do it for the second half,” he said. “It will give me a lot of confidence going into next season and was a perfect way to finish the season. Ten days together was important to get to know the manager and for the manager to get to know the players. Ten days is a long time in football and being together for that amount of time, we've learnt a lot.”

when it was posted on the Liverpool thread i said the following and it pretty much sums up how i see the situation atm

me wrote:

Think Barrys stance atm is if Liverpool make a bid that is accepted he would go. doubt there is any validity to the bit about him saying a few weeks ago he wants to leave as that claim isnt backed up in the article and as you say wasnt mentioned anywhere else ever. Barry is a consumite pro and wont do anything that could affect Villa negatively even to the extent of them not getting the best transfer fee possible for him. Therefore, he wont come out and say he wants out cos then Villa's bargiing position would be gone. Infact Barry isnt going to say much at all and if those quotes are real (of course they most likely are) then good job the Times and they would be worth listening to i.e his love of Villa vs his desire to play CL football. Twist Villa's arm with a really good offer and Barry most likely will be yours at Anfield next season... but do Liverpool have the transfer funds to do so atm?

Neil3030

Most Liverpool fans I speak to about this would like to see Barry at Anfield, but are baffled that Rafa is prioritising the strengthening of the midfield over the wings and full-back positions.

Neil3030

Gotta love that tabloid spin!

GARETH BARRY wants to quit Aston Villa to join Liverpool.

The Reds have had their £12million bid for the Villa skipper turned down by manager Martin O’Neill.

But Barry is determined to link up with England pal Steven Gerrard at Anfield.

He wants to play in the Champions League next season and is praying O’Neill gives in.

Barry got his first international goal in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago and captained the team after David Beckham was substituted.

The midfielder said: “I’d like things cleared up the sooner the better. It would be easier for myself and for the fans, so I’m sure we can get it done pretty soon.”