Collymore urges Villa fans not to boo Barry
Source : Tribalfootball.com

Stan Collymore has backed Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry’s push to join Liverpool. Collymore, a veteran of both clubs, told The Sun: “Gareth is 27 and has been at the club for 10 years. “I defy any supporter, especially in this day and age of players hopping around clubs, to boo him. I want to see Villa in the Champions League in the next two seasons – but realistically Liverpool are already there. “If a healthy transfer fee is agreed, I feel it would be a good move for both clubs. “Gareth has been a great servant at Villa and has never caused the club from his time as a trainee to the present day.”
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Liverpool won’t meet Tottenham’s Keane price
Source : Tribalfootball.com

Liverpool won’t consider meeting Tottenham’s £20 million asking price for Robbie Keane.
BBC Sport says Liverpool would be willing to offer Peter Crouch plus cash to sign 28-year-old Keane, but they fear Spurs will demand £20 million for Keane, wrecking a possible deal.

Spurs have not received a transfer request from Keane, despite reports claiming he had demanded to leave White Hart Lane.
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Villa coach Delaney: Barry should be sold
Source : Tribalfootball.com

Former Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney says manager Martin O’Neill should sell Gareth Barry to Liverpool. Delaney, now an academy coach at the club, said: “Martin O’Neill knows Liverpool are a bigger club than Villa. “It hurts me to say that as a Villa supporter through-and-through and the club mean a hell of a lot to me. If Martin didn’t say he would have done the same as a player, he would be lying. Anyone would. “The reason Martin has probably reacted like he has is that he knows Gareth will be hard to replace. It’s unfortunate for Villa, but these things happen.” Delaney claims Barry would be “crazy” not to go because he might not get another chance to play for a Big Four club. The Welshman cannot see Villa qualifying for the Champions League and says Liverpool represent Barry’s best chance of winning trophies. “Gareth has been as loyal as any Villa player,” he said. “The thing is, I can’t see them breaking into the top four in his time. “They exceeded all expectations last season, but can they do it again? I don’t know. “Gareth will be 28 in February. If he goes, he will win trophies. If he doesn’t go, it will be crazy for his career. “He has to give it a go. If he can’t go the opportunity may never arise again. Liverpool might not ask again. He has to grasp this with both hands. The choice is Champions League and England with Liverpool or the InterToto with Villa. “(Villa owner) Randy Lerner could probably match what Liverpool can offer Gareth in terms of wages, but this is not about money. He loves Aston Villa, as I do, but for his career, this is the right move.”
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Barry ready for showdown talks with Villa boss O’Neill
Source : Tribalfooball.com

Gareth Barry is set for showdown talks with Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill tomorrow over his bid to join Liverpool.
The Mirror says Barry is due back at Aston Villa to start pre-season training and the England midfield star has told friends he is not scared to confront O’Neill.

Barry, 27, informed O’Neill when they last met a month ago that he wanted to join Liverpool and is prepared to look the Villa manager in the eye and tell him he is still determined to go.
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Reds quiet on Barry bid
Source : Skysports.com

Liverpool have yet to make progress in their bid to land Gareth Barry and insist they have not made a ‘final’ offer for the Aston Villa captain. Speculation suggested that the Reds had made an ultimate £15million plus extras offer for the Villa midfielder on Wednesday morning.

Anfield manager Rafa Benitez has made no secret of his desire to land Barry and has made the England international his No.1 summer transfer target after showing initial interest before the end of last season. However, when asked about a latest bid for Barry a Liverpool club spokesman said: “We have no further information.”

Aston Villa have declined to comment on the latest rumours, but boss Martin O’Neill recently announced that Barry could leave the club, if Liverpool meet their valuation which is believed to be in the region of £18m. Barry, 27, is keen on a move to Merseyside in order to secure UEFA Champions League football and to allow him to team up with his friend and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard. The pair have enjoyed a close friendship since rooming together with England at Euro 2000 and Gerrard’s presence at Anfield is believed to be a major bargaining chip in the deal. Barry is thought to be keen to seek further discussions with O’Neill and it is reported that a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday.