Steve Finnan has emerged as the key component in the deal which may finally see Gareth Barry make the move from Aston Villa to Liverpool, reports the News of the World.
The two clubs are currently haggling over the transfer fee for Barry with Liverpool having reportedly offered £15 million for the Villa captain, whilst Aston Villa value him nearer the £17 million mark.
The protracted transfer has taken an ugly turn in recent weeks with Barry having been disciplined by Villa after comments he was reported to have made in a newspaper. His career at Villa Park is clearly over and it looks as though finally he may be granted his wish to join Liverpool.
With Benitez determined to add Barry to his ranks it now appears that Liverpool are willing to offer veteran full back Steve Finnan as part of the deal and with Martin O’Neill apparently an admirer of the defender, an agreement may finally be close.
The paper quotes a Liverpool source as saying: “There has been so much haggling in the past week and the mood has been very tense at times but both sides seem to be close to deal.”
Finnan signed for Liverpool from Fulham in 2003 and has made almost 150 appearances for the club winning Champions League and FA Cup medals.
However, the Irishman lost his place in the starting line-up towards the end of last season, making only nine league appearances in 2008, which has led to speculation that he no longer features in manager Rafael Benitez’s plans.
This speculation has increased this summer as Benitez has brought in extra defensive in the shape of Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena. With Finnan likely to be guaranteed first team football at Villa Park it is unlikely he will reject a move away from Anfield.
The two clubs are currently haggling over the transfer fee for Barry with Liverpool having reportedly offered £15 million for the Villa captain, whilst Aston Villa value him nearer the £17 million mark.
The protracted transfer has taken an ugly turn in recent weeks with Barry having been disciplined by Villa after comments he was reported to have made in a newspaper. His career at Villa Park is clearly over and it looks as though finally he may be granted his wish to join Liverpool.
With Benitez determined to add Barry to his ranks it now appears that Liverpool are willing to offer veteran full back Steve Finnan as part of the deal and with Martin O’Neill apparently an admirer of the defender, an agreement may finally be close.
The paper quotes a Liverpool source as saying: “There has been so much haggling in the past week and the mood has been very tense at times but both sides seem to be close to deal.”
Finnan signed for Liverpool from Fulham in 2003 and has made almost 150 appearances for the club winning Champions League and FA Cup medals.
However, the Irishman lost his place in the starting line-up towards the end of last season, making only nine league appearances in 2008, which has led to speculation that he no longer features in manager Rafael Benitez’s plans.
This speculation has increased this summer as Benitez has brought in extra defensive in the shape of Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena. With Finnan likely to be guaranteed first team football at Villa Park it is unlikely he will reject a move away from Anfield.
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