Sunday, July 13, 2008

Gunners To Shoot Down Reds' Barry Bid?

As negotiations between Liverpool and Aston Villa continue to drag, Arsenal are reportedly set to make a sensational last-minute swoop for Gareth Barry.

The Sun reports that the Gunners have made contact with Villa this week and are willing to offer a player-plus-cash deal to steal Barry from under the Reds’ noses.

Liverpool have been hunting the England midfielder for months now, and it seemed only a matter time before they would land their man when he publicly announced his desire to make the switch to Anfield.

But Rafael Benitez is yet to meet Villa’s demands of ₤18million – and looks increasingly unlikely to given Xabi Alonso may now stay on Merseyside – and has refused their compromise of ₤17million plus Steve Finnan.

The Midlands club are desperately in need of a right-back following Olof Mellberg’s departure, meaning Arsenal may include Justin Hoyte – or, at a stretch, perhaps even Emmanuel Eboue – as part of their offer.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill would no doubt be very tempted by the prospect of selling to the Londoners, as he was heavily critical of the manner in which Benitez approached Barry.

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