GARETH BARRY’S agent has stated the England midfielder will stay with Aston Villa rather than make a late move before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool have been eager to sign Barry this summer but have been unwilling to match Villa’s £18million valuation of the 27-year-old.
Agent Alex Black said: “After much speculation I can confirm that Gareth Barry will not leave Aston Villa before the transfer window closes.
“Gareth made the decision to stay two weeks ago and informed Aston Villa of his intentions.
“During this time discussions have taken place to decide the best way forward for all parties.
“Any talks regarding potential new contracts at Aston Villa will not take place until the end of the season. Gareth wants to concentrate on playing on the best of his ability for Aston Villa, and we hope this draws a line under the matter.”
Meanwhile, Villa manager Martin O’Neill believes Barry has been in the right frame of mind mentally since returning to the side after the collapse of a move to Liverpool.
He said: “If Gareth stays with us for the foreseeable future, I will be really delighted.
“I would have said only a few weeks ago, I was resigned myself to the fact he would no longer be here – around about the time we played Reading in a friendly and when he didn’t come with us to Malaga.
“If he does stay, I will be delighted. It will be a really big bonus for us.
“I think Gareth has played four games in quick succession – with the one for England. Four in 12 days after a stop- start pre-season, which hasn’t helped him.
“He will have better days for us than on Saturday at Stoke with a bit of luck but Saturday might just have been a culmination of the four games in quick succession, the lack of any steady pre-season, and all of those things. I couldn’t have faulted him in any of the matches he had played for us before that.”
Liverpool have been eager to sign Barry this summer but have been unwilling to match Villa’s £18million valuation of the 27-year-old.
Agent Alex Black said: “After much speculation I can confirm that Gareth Barry will not leave Aston Villa before the transfer window closes.
“Gareth made the decision to stay two weeks ago and informed Aston Villa of his intentions.
“During this time discussions have taken place to decide the best way forward for all parties.
“Any talks regarding potential new contracts at Aston Villa will not take place until the end of the season. Gareth wants to concentrate on playing on the best of his ability for Aston Villa, and we hope this draws a line under the matter.”
Meanwhile, Villa manager Martin O’Neill believes Barry has been in the right frame of mind mentally since returning to the side after the collapse of a move to Liverpool.
He said: “If Gareth stays with us for the foreseeable future, I will be really delighted.
“I would have said only a few weeks ago, I was resigned myself to the fact he would no longer be here – around about the time we played Reading in a friendly and when he didn’t come with us to Malaga.
“If he does stay, I will be delighted. It will be a really big bonus for us.
“I think Gareth has played four games in quick succession – with the one for England. Four in 12 days after a stop- start pre-season, which hasn’t helped him.
“He will have better days for us than on Saturday at Stoke with a bit of luck but Saturday might just have been a culmination of the four games in quick succession, the lack of any steady pre-season, and all of those things. I couldn’t have faulted him in any of the matches he had played for us before that.”
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