Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry is ready to quit the club and move to Liverpool, according to reports.
The England midfielder has been heavily linked with a ₤10 million move to Merseyside in recent weeks, where he would link up with friend and national-team colleague Steven Gerrard.
New of the World have reported that the 27-year-old will hand in his transfer request this week, thus ending his 10-year career at Villa Park.
"Gareth feels it's time to move on," said an inside source. "He's given his all to Villa but feels he now needs the new challenge and the opportunity to compete at the very top of the Premier League."
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Barry, but Liverpool remain the favourites due to the fact they can offer him regular football in a number of positions across midfield and defence.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill has slammed the manner in which the Reds have handled the situation and will not let his skipper leave cheaply.
But the former Celtic manager understands he cannot stop Barry from leaving if he so desires, and may push for a part player-swap deal involving Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.
The England midfielder has been heavily linked with a ₤10 million move to Merseyside in recent weeks, where he would link up with friend and national-team colleague Steven Gerrard.
New of the World have reported that the 27-year-old will hand in his transfer request this week, thus ending his 10-year career at Villa Park.
"Gareth feels it's time to move on," said an inside source. "He's given his all to Villa but feels he now needs the new challenge and the opportunity to compete at the very top of the Premier League."
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Barry, but Liverpool remain the favourites due to the fact they can offer him regular football in a number of positions across midfield and defence.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill has slammed the manner in which the Reds have handled the situation and will not let his skipper leave cheaply.
But the former Celtic manager understands he cannot stop Barry from leaving if he so desires, and may push for a part player-swap deal involving Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.
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