According to a report in the British tabloid The People, Premier League money men Manchester City and Italian giants Milan are planning to hijack Liverpool's move for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry at the end of the season.
The Villans have reportedly slapped a €11.3 million price-tag (£10m) on the England international.
The Sunday Mirror claims that Martin O’Neill is unwilling to accept anything less than that for the 28-year-old, despite Barry having only one year left on his current contract.
Liverpool are expected to renew their interest in the 28-year-old at the end of the season, despite spending the majority of last summer attempting, and failing, to snare the Villa captain.
According to the report in the tabloid newspaper, City, as well as the Rossoneri, are apparently ready to offer the 6ft midfielder wages in the region of €113,720-a-week (£100,000), amounting to around €21.8m (£19.2m) over four years.
This could rule the Merseyside outfit out of the race for his signature as they, as well as Arsenal who are also said to be monitoring his situation, will not be able to offer such terms.
It is also reported that the Citizens are considering offering England international defender Micah Richards as part of the deal, in the hope of having first option on Barry.
While his potential destination remains unclear, it seems almost certain Barry will leave Villa Park this summer after manager Martin O’Neill admitted he will not stand in his way.
“The price, obviously with a year left to run, is a different issue,” he told the Sunday Mirror.
“But, by the same token, he is an England international player, he has captained his country and he is still only 28-years-old.
“He wouldn’t come cheaply, even in this day and age.”
The news is unlikely to impress Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez with funds reportedly an issue at Anfield.
Indeed, the Spaniard may have to sell before he can buy with Xabi Alonso the man widely tipped to leave in order for Barry to arrive.
They may be more encouraged by the news that the midfielder hopes to play in the Champions League, which would rule out a move to Manchester City, although Milan may be an attractive proposition.
The Villans have reportedly slapped a €11.3 million price-tag (£10m) on the England international.
The Sunday Mirror claims that Martin O’Neill is unwilling to accept anything less than that for the 28-year-old, despite Barry having only one year left on his current contract.
Liverpool are expected to renew their interest in the 28-year-old at the end of the season, despite spending the majority of last summer attempting, and failing, to snare the Villa captain.
According to the report in the tabloid newspaper, City, as well as the Rossoneri, are apparently ready to offer the 6ft midfielder wages in the region of €113,720-a-week (£100,000), amounting to around €21.8m (£19.2m) over four years.
This could rule the Merseyside outfit out of the race for his signature as they, as well as Arsenal who are also said to be monitoring his situation, will not be able to offer such terms.
It is also reported that the Citizens are considering offering England international defender Micah Richards as part of the deal, in the hope of having first option on Barry.
While his potential destination remains unclear, it seems almost certain Barry will leave Villa Park this summer after manager Martin O’Neill admitted he will not stand in his way.
“The price, obviously with a year left to run, is a different issue,” he told the Sunday Mirror.
“But, by the same token, he is an England international player, he has captained his country and he is still only 28-years-old.
“He wouldn’t come cheaply, even in this day and age.”
The news is unlikely to impress Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez with funds reportedly an issue at Anfield.
Indeed, the Spaniard may have to sell before he can buy with Xabi Alonso the man widely tipped to leave in order for Barry to arrive.
They may be more encouraged by the news that the midfielder hopes to play in the Champions League, which would rule out a move to Manchester City, although Milan may be an attractive proposition.
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