Martin O'Neill wants £8million AND Peter Crouch for Gareth Barry.
That is what the Aston Villa manager will tell Liverpool when they make their improved offer for the England midfield star.
Anfield gaffer Rafa Benitez is poised to make a new bid for Barry after O'Neill dismissed his opening £10million offer, made up of cash and players.
O'Neill is determined to play hardball in the negotiations for his talisman and skipper, who has been at the club for more than a decade, and will only reluctantly let him go if he feels it is a good deal for Villa.
The Ulsterman feels Barry is worth at least £15m, following his best season for club and country, and is prepared to consider Crouch as a makeweight in any transaction.
But O'Neill's £7m valuation of Crouch is way below Benitez's stated asking price of £15m.
Benitez will want much more for the England striker - who is being eyed up by a number of other Premier League managers including Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth - even though he is set to cash in on Xabi Alonso's imminent move to Juventus.
Liverpool are willing to throw Jermaine Pennant into the mix, although O'Neill is reluctant to accept the former Birmingham winger as part of any deal.
Benitez is quietly confident of landing Barry, who linked up so well with Steven Gerrard for England, and O'Neill's bargaining position may not be as strong as he believes.
Barry, 27, has undermined him by admitting he is flattered by Liverpool's interest and that he would like to play in the Champions League.
The midfielder has also refused Villa's offer to make him the best-paid player in their history and could force O'Neill's hand after stating he wants his future resolved quickly.
That is what the Aston Villa manager will tell Liverpool when they make their improved offer for the England midfield star.
Anfield gaffer Rafa Benitez is poised to make a new bid for Barry after O'Neill dismissed his opening £10million offer, made up of cash and players.
O'Neill is determined to play hardball in the negotiations for his talisman and skipper, who has been at the club for more than a decade, and will only reluctantly let him go if he feels it is a good deal for Villa.
The Ulsterman feels Barry is worth at least £15m, following his best season for club and country, and is prepared to consider Crouch as a makeweight in any transaction.
But O'Neill's £7m valuation of Crouch is way below Benitez's stated asking price of £15m.
Benitez will want much more for the England striker - who is being eyed up by a number of other Premier League managers including Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth - even though he is set to cash in on Xabi Alonso's imminent move to Juventus.
Liverpool are willing to throw Jermaine Pennant into the mix, although O'Neill is reluctant to accept the former Birmingham winger as part of any deal.
Benitez is quietly confident of landing Barry, who linked up so well with Steven Gerrard for England, and O'Neill's bargaining position may not be as strong as he believes.
Barry, 27, has undermined him by admitting he is flattered by Liverpool's interest and that he would like to play in the Champions League.
The midfielder has also refused Villa's offer to make him the best-paid player in their history and could force O'Neill's hand after stating he wants his future resolved quickly.
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