John Arne Riise’s move to Roma is expected to go through by the end of the week – as Gareth Barry’s arrival at Anfield took a step closer.
Liverpool and Roma are set to agree terms on a switch for Riise this week, with the Norwegian defender hopeful the Reds will compromise on their demands for £5m.
And as Riise prepares to leave, Barry should soon be joining the Reds with the cancellation of his testimonial suggesting that the midfielder’s days at Villa Park are numbered.
Barry, 27, has been at Villa since he joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in 1997 but Villa have now called off his testimonial on August 9 and are expected to play a regular pre-season friendly on the same date instead.
However, Villa have told Liverpool they are under no pressure to sell their skipper for less than their asking price – which will be in the region of at least £18m.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill has no need to offload the England midfielder on the cheap because it is understood the deal will have no bearing on his own spending power during the summer.
O’Neill is believed to be aware of the funds he has at his disposal from club owner Randy Lerner.
Reds manager Rafael Benitez has already had three bids rejected by Villa for 27-year-old Barry.
And, while it appears inevitable that Barry will move to Anfield, O’Neill will not give the green light until his value of the player is met by Benitez.
A source close to Villa said: “The sale of Barry will have no effect on the plans Martin O’Neill has in place for the summer. Any deal for Barry will be on his and Villa’s terms.”
Benitez is expected to make a fourth offer during the coming week for Barry.
The expected sale of Xabi Alonso to Juventus for a reported £14m may pave the way for what Villa will regard as a more realistic offer for Barry.
Benitez confessed at the end of last season that he would allow Riise to end his seven-year stay at Anfield if “the right price” was offered.
Roma are believed to have made a bid in the region of £4m for the Norwegian international but the two clubs’ differences in the player’s valuation are likely to be ironed out within the next few days.
Earlier this month, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed his interest in the 27-year-old, saying Riise “can give a different dimension”, and “Riise has the qualities we are looking for.”
Now Riise has spoken for the first time of his intention to leave Anfield in order to find “new challenges.”
He said: “That was nice what was said by the coach (Spalletti), but this is only something I have heard from media reports.
“I have only one year of my contract left, so the price is lower than a year ago – 50m Norwegian Kroner (approximately £5m) seems a little high for me.
“I need to play and need to be in a team where I can become better, because I know I can become better.
“When you change club, you get a kick-start and a set of new challenges.”
Liverpool and Roma are set to agree terms on a switch for Riise this week, with the Norwegian defender hopeful the Reds will compromise on their demands for £5m.
And as Riise prepares to leave, Barry should soon be joining the Reds with the cancellation of his testimonial suggesting that the midfielder’s days at Villa Park are numbered.
Barry, 27, has been at Villa since he joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in 1997 but Villa have now called off his testimonial on August 9 and are expected to play a regular pre-season friendly on the same date instead.
However, Villa have told Liverpool they are under no pressure to sell their skipper for less than their asking price – which will be in the region of at least £18m.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill has no need to offload the England midfielder on the cheap because it is understood the deal will have no bearing on his own spending power during the summer.
O’Neill is believed to be aware of the funds he has at his disposal from club owner Randy Lerner.
Reds manager Rafael Benitez has already had three bids rejected by Villa for 27-year-old Barry.
And, while it appears inevitable that Barry will move to Anfield, O’Neill will not give the green light until his value of the player is met by Benitez.
A source close to Villa said: “The sale of Barry will have no effect on the plans Martin O’Neill has in place for the summer. Any deal for Barry will be on his and Villa’s terms.”
Benitez is expected to make a fourth offer during the coming week for Barry.
The expected sale of Xabi Alonso to Juventus for a reported £14m may pave the way for what Villa will regard as a more realistic offer for Barry.
Benitez confessed at the end of last season that he would allow Riise to end his seven-year stay at Anfield if “the right price” was offered.
Roma are believed to have made a bid in the region of £4m for the Norwegian international but the two clubs’ differences in the player’s valuation are likely to be ironed out within the next few days.
Earlier this month, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed his interest in the 27-year-old, saying Riise “can give a different dimension”, and “Riise has the qualities we are looking for.”
Now Riise has spoken for the first time of his intention to leave Anfield in order to find “new challenges.”
He said: “That was nice what was said by the coach (Spalletti), but this is only something I have heard from media reports.
“I have only one year of my contract left, so the price is lower than a year ago – 50m Norwegian Kroner (approximately £5m) seems a little high for me.
“I need to play and need to be in a team where I can become better, because I know I can become better.
“When you change club, you get a kick-start and a set of new challenges.”
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