Gareth Barry has rejected accusations from Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who suggested the England midfielder's move to Manchester City was motivated by money.
Barry left Aston Villa to join City in a £12 million switch at the start of last month after snubbing long-standing interest from Liverpool.
Benitez then criticized the decision, suggesting it was taken due to "money, money, money".
But England midfielder Barry claims the recent signings of Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez prove he was right to move to Eastlands.
"I think there was maybe a bit of frustration (from Benitez) because it was well documented that Liverpool were in the market to sign me for a couple of years," he said. "But Manchester City had agreed a fee with Aston Villa.
"Once I'd spoken to the manager, heard the ambition and he told me what the club were aiming for, that suited me.
"People can talk about the money because of the speculation in the media but the players that are now joining are proving my decision to be a correct one - these are players that are really going to improve Manchester City and take us to where we want to go."
Barry was speaking on City's pre-season tour of South Africa with the first game coming tomorrow afternoon against the Orlando Pirates.
He added: "I think all the players are delighted to be here in South Africa. We've just come back from holidays and we're mainly focusing on fitness over here.
"We see the two games against the big clubs over here as part of building up towards the start of the Premier League.
"We know the standard of the football here is very high, so we'll be having a big test and as I said, building towards the start of our own league."
Barry left Aston Villa to join City in a £12 million switch at the start of last month after snubbing long-standing interest from Liverpool.
Benitez then criticized the decision, suggesting it was taken due to "money, money, money".
But England midfielder Barry claims the recent signings of Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez prove he was right to move to Eastlands.
"I think there was maybe a bit of frustration (from Benitez) because it was well documented that Liverpool were in the market to sign me for a couple of years," he said. "But Manchester City had agreed a fee with Aston Villa.
"Once I'd spoken to the manager, heard the ambition and he told me what the club were aiming for, that suited me.
"People can talk about the money because of the speculation in the media but the players that are now joining are proving my decision to be a correct one - these are players that are really going to improve Manchester City and take us to where we want to go."
Barry was speaking on City's pre-season tour of South Africa with the first game coming tomorrow afternoon against the Orlando Pirates.
He added: "I think all the players are delighted to be here in South Africa. We've just come back from holidays and we're mainly focusing on fitness over here.
"We see the two games against the big clubs over here as part of building up towards the start of the Premier League.
"We know the standard of the football here is very high, so we'll be having a big test and as I said, building towards the start of our own league."
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