Andy HunterThe Guardian,
Wednesday June 4 2008
Liverpool are to intensify efforts to prise Gareth Barry from Aston Villa by increasing their £10m offer to bring the England midfielder to Anfield. Their manager, Rafael Benítez, who is hoping to force through the sale of Xabi Alonso to Juventus before the European Championship commences this weekend, has been encouraged by Barry's public admission that he wishes to play in the Champions League and has instructed a second bid for the 27-year-old.
Liverpool had a complex offer of cash plus, in the words of Martin O'Neill, "a mishmash of nameless players in exchange", rejected out of hand by the Villa manager two days before the final game of the Premier League season. The timing of that offer, and particularly
Liverpool's willingness to make their approach public, infuriated O'Neill, who still hopes to commit his captain to a new long-term contract at Villa Park.
Speaking after England's friendly win against Trinidad & Tobago, Barry revealed he hoped to clarify his future with O'Neill this week. Even if Barry rejects an increase on his existing £47,000-a-week wage at Villa and an extension to a contract that has two years remaining, however, Benítez's hopes of a swift resolution to an acrimonious transfer appear optimistic.
Liverpool's initial £10m-rated bid fell short of O'Neill's valuation and while their second offer is expected to be worth in the region of £14m, again with players such as Scott Carson and John Arne Riise offered in exchange, Villa want closer to £18m.
Benítez is confident of swelling his transfer budget by holding out for £16m for Alonso, although that rests on the Spain international's desire to call time on his four-year Anfield career in favour of a move to Italy. Alonso has a five-year contract offer on the table from the Italian club, who had an initial bid for the midfielder rejected by Liverpool a fortnight ago. The 26-year-old would prefer a return to Spain but, in the absence of serious interest from his homeland, will have little option but to accept Juventus' offer.
One deal with fewer complications is Liverpool's pursuit of the Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena. Though the Italians want £8m for the 26-year-old and Liverpool initially offered £6m, the defender is close to completing his move to Anfield.
Liverpool were reported last night to have approached Manchester City's chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh, regarding him moving to Anfield. The move would cast doubt on the future of Rick Parry, who was called upon to resign by the club's co-owner Tom Hicks last season.
Liverpool had a complex offer of cash plus, in the words of Martin O'Neill, "a mishmash of nameless players in exchange", rejected out of hand by the Villa manager two days before the final game of the Premier League season. The timing of that offer, and particularly
Liverpool's willingness to make their approach public, infuriated O'Neill, who still hopes to commit his captain to a new long-term contract at Villa Park.
Speaking after England's friendly win against Trinidad & Tobago, Barry revealed he hoped to clarify his future with O'Neill this week. Even if Barry rejects an increase on his existing £47,000-a-week wage at Villa and an extension to a contract that has two years remaining, however, Benítez's hopes of a swift resolution to an acrimonious transfer appear optimistic.
Liverpool's initial £10m-rated bid fell short of O'Neill's valuation and while their second offer is expected to be worth in the region of £14m, again with players such as Scott Carson and John Arne Riise offered in exchange, Villa want closer to £18m.
Benítez is confident of swelling his transfer budget by holding out for £16m for Alonso, although that rests on the Spain international's desire to call time on his four-year Anfield career in favour of a move to Italy. Alonso has a five-year contract offer on the table from the Italian club, who had an initial bid for the midfielder rejected by Liverpool a fortnight ago. The 26-year-old would prefer a return to Spain but, in the absence of serious interest from his homeland, will have little option but to accept Juventus' offer.
One deal with fewer complications is Liverpool's pursuit of the Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena. Though the Italians want £8m for the 26-year-old and Liverpool initially offered £6m, the defender is close to completing his move to Anfield.
Liverpool were reported last night to have approached Manchester City's chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh, regarding him moving to Anfield. The move would cast doubt on the future of Rick Parry, who was called upon to resign by the club's co-owner Tom Hicks last season.
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