Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has conceded Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool could yet go ahead.
On Wednesday it appeared the England midfielder would be staying in the Midlands after Liverpool failed to meet Villa's deadline for a 'suitable' bid.
But after speaking to Barry, 27, and his agent, O'Neill says it is "the best way forward" to leave the door open.
"If Liverpool at the end of it do not come up with the money, that's no-one's fault but their own," he said.
"I'd be delighted if that was the case and Gareth stayed but I doubt it very much. The ball is very much in their court.
"There will be no deadline and Liverpool will have all the time in the world to sign him. They've got to the end of the transfer window at the end of the month.
"I've got a football club to run and I really do want people who want to play for me."
Barry was barracked by Villa fans when he played in a friendly against Walsall in July but featured in the Intertoto Cup match against Odense a few days later and was an unused substitute in Saturday's friendly against Reading.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has said he needs to sell players before he can meet Villa's valuation for the England international, which is believed to be £18m.
Villa have already rejected a number of bids from Liverpool that fell short of their valuation for Barry.
O'Neill has made no secret of his displeasure at Liverpool's conduct in trying to sign Barry and the player himself was ordered not to report for pre-season training after criticising his manager in a newspaper interview.
Villa's ire will have been increased by the fact that Liverpool splashed out £19m for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane - with the fee possibly reaching £20.3m with add-ons - yet have seemingly been unwilling to match an £18m valuation for Barry.
On Wednesday it appeared the England midfielder would be staying in the Midlands after Liverpool failed to meet Villa's deadline for a 'suitable' bid.
But after speaking to Barry, 27, and his agent, O'Neill says it is "the best way forward" to leave the door open.
"If Liverpool at the end of it do not come up with the money, that's no-one's fault but their own," he said.
"I'd be delighted if that was the case and Gareth stayed but I doubt it very much. The ball is very much in their court.
"There will be no deadline and Liverpool will have all the time in the world to sign him. They've got to the end of the transfer window at the end of the month.
"I've got a football club to run and I really do want people who want to play for me."
Barry was barracked by Villa fans when he played in a friendly against Walsall in July but featured in the Intertoto Cup match against Odense a few days later and was an unused substitute in Saturday's friendly against Reading.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has said he needs to sell players before he can meet Villa's valuation for the England international, which is believed to be £18m.
Villa have already rejected a number of bids from Liverpool that fell short of their valuation for Barry.
O'Neill has made no secret of his displeasure at Liverpool's conduct in trying to sign Barry and the player himself was ordered not to report for pre-season training after criticising his manager in a newspaper interview.
Villa's ire will have been increased by the fact that Liverpool splashed out £19m for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane - with the fee possibly reaching £20.3m with add-ons - yet have seemingly been unwilling to match an £18m valuation for Barry.
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