Gareth Barry’s summer move to Liverpool could be ruined by the way he was treated by Rafa Benitez a year ago.
Barry was told by Benitez that the £18million transfer could not go through because Liverpool could not afford it, but then splashed out £20m on Robbie Keane.
Aston Villa want Barry to stay, offering him a new £60,000-a-week deal and manager Martin O'Neill said: "The disappointing aspect for Barry was that Liverpool were pleading that they could only afford this certain amount of money and then spent £20m on Keane almost overnight.
"If that worked in our favour, fine. Was Barry hurt by that? I'm sure that if I was a player I would have been.
"That's my view. If someone told me they were coming for me and they are going to do this and the next thing, then say they don't have the money but buy someone else for £20m and it's gone through in a day or two, that would be an issue."
O'Neill will ask Barry what his intentions are after England's two World Cup qualifiers next month and will also use his international future as a bargaining tool.
Barry has started every Premier League game for Villa this season and that has helped cement him in the England side, but at Liverpool, O'Neill will point out, Barry will be at the mercy of Benitez's rotation policy.
"In the summer time, after he has played the games for England, I think Barry would want to talk about his decision then because everything is hitting him at the moment,” said O'Neill.
"If you are asking me for my opinion, I'd be delighted if he stayed on with us. But I wouldn't guarantee it. We've had good discussions with his new agent.
"With regards to England, Barry plays in our side. But if he wants Champions League football the thing to consider is we rotate less than some of the other teams and he is one who thrives on playing most weeks."
Barry has three options. He can keep O'Neill to his word after he promised he would allow him to leave at the end of this season if he still wanted Champions League football.
He can stay for another season and run down the final year of his contract and be available on a free transfer, something Villa would agree to, despite losing a lot of money.
Or Barry can take the new four-year contract on the improved terms that are on offer to him.
Barry was told by Benitez that the £18million transfer could not go through because Liverpool could not afford it, but then splashed out £20m on Robbie Keane.
Aston Villa want Barry to stay, offering him a new £60,000-a-week deal and manager Martin O'Neill said: "The disappointing aspect for Barry was that Liverpool were pleading that they could only afford this certain amount of money and then spent £20m on Keane almost overnight.
"If that worked in our favour, fine. Was Barry hurt by that? I'm sure that if I was a player I would have been.
"That's my view. If someone told me they were coming for me and they are going to do this and the next thing, then say they don't have the money but buy someone else for £20m and it's gone through in a day or two, that would be an issue."
O'Neill will ask Barry what his intentions are after England's two World Cup qualifiers next month and will also use his international future as a bargaining tool.
Barry has started every Premier League game for Villa this season and that has helped cement him in the England side, but at Liverpool, O'Neill will point out, Barry will be at the mercy of Benitez's rotation policy.
"In the summer time, after he has played the games for England, I think Barry would want to talk about his decision then because everything is hitting him at the moment,” said O'Neill.
"If you are asking me for my opinion, I'd be delighted if he stayed on with us. But I wouldn't guarantee it. We've had good discussions with his new agent.
"With regards to England, Barry plays in our side. But if he wants Champions League football the thing to consider is we rotate less than some of the other teams and he is one who thrives on playing most weeks."
Barry has three options. He can keep O'Neill to his word after he promised he would allow him to leave at the end of this season if he still wanted Champions League football.
He can stay for another season and run down the final year of his contract and be available on a free transfer, something Villa would agree to, despite losing a lot of money.
Or Barry can take the new four-year contract on the improved terms that are on offer to him.
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