Premier League - Lerner optimistic of Barry stay

Eurosport - Tue, 26 May 12:59:00 2009

Randy Lerner is optimistic Gareth Barry will remain at Aston Villa after revealing a new contract has been discussed with the England midfielder.

FOOTBALL Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, who owner Randy Lerner thinks will stay at the club despite reported interest from Liverpool - 0

But Villa's American multi-millionaire owner is also prepared to wind down Barry's current deal, which has another 12 months to run, even though it would cost the club between £10-£12million in transfer revenue.

Lerner said: "We have discussed a new contract with Gareth. I would give Barry the highest ranking possible. He is the best. He is a gentleman, a great player, a pleasure to be around, a leader, a great captain."

He added: "I don't think anyone could do better than Gareth on any level. Am I optimistic Gareth will stay? Yes, I am optimistic. It is my nature.

"He is currently really speaking to Martin O'Neill and that is the natural process. They will get into it and it will all get handled in the normal ways."

Lerner continued: "Am I happy for him to wind down his current contract? That's his decision. If it means he is staying another year, I am absolutely happy.

"Even though Villa would lose £10-£12 million? Yes, absolutely. You are talking about a player who is an integral part of your potential success.

"That is in terms of playing more games to winning competitions etc. That is similarly lucrative (to a transfer fee this summer) when you think about what you can achieve with a player like that.

"It is not like you forego the proceeds and you are getting nothing back.

"You are keeping him on the team, the team continues to compete and you are rewarded with successful results. There is more to do it than foregoing money."

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 10 of 10

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  1. And did the twit leave for City? YES

    From The Northerner, on Sun 14 Jun 8:33PM

  2. hahaha were are villa know sixth lol­ look
    manutd
    liverpool
    chelsea
    arsenal
    everton
    villa
    hha­ hahaah villa

    From lubov, on Fri 29 May 12:05AM

  3. I agree with stevereading2001. Barry has played­ consistenly well this season despite not getting his­ move to Liverpool. As a Villa fan I hope he stays but­ if he does decide to move then good luck to him. He is­ not moving for the money but to play Champions League­ football and you cannot blame him for that. As for the­ swipes at Mr Lerner from others, he paid cash for the­ Villa out of his own pocket, attends many games despite­ having business interests in the USA and even has a­ Villa tattoo. I for one would not question his motives­ when concerned with Villa, I am sure we will be top 4­ but not for a few years yet. Rome was not built in a­ day. Up the Villa.

    From friz f, on Wed 27 May 1:25PM

  4. Sounds like Lerner is on a sales pitch to me. Watch out­ Villa fans, he's on his way

    From Get rid of the Lords, on Tue 26 May 8:52PM

  5. OWEN is not wanted at VILLA, sicknote owen is really­ finished in football, everyone can see that, bit like­ jonny wilkinson in rugby, villa need 6 players to­ contest the big four, they need a new goal keeper(1) as­ brad is well past it and cant organise his defence, he­ never talks to them, we need two defenders of mellbergs­ class (2&3), we need someone to replace barry(4) or­ someone like him(5) just in case of tiredness or­ injury, we need to get rid of heskey, o neill only­ bought him cos they re mates from leicester, regardless­ of him we need a striker and i dont mean OWEN, we need­ a world class striker(6) not someone who is well burnt­ out and pass it, we need to clear out brad friedel,­ heskey, shorey, gardener, zat knight, reo coker, and­ other like albagonor need to learn a lot more then just­ running and lazy attitude at times, for 90mins they­ need to earn their money at least if they are not­ playing for pride,

    oneill you just cant handle the­ big names

    From rahul s, on Tue 26 May 7:38PM

  6. Anyone heard about Liverpool are trying to get the­ Marseille Captain?

    From Nath, on Tue 26 May 5:33PM

  7. I think he has been outstanding this season. Good luck­ to Villa if they keep him. But the Guy wants to play­ champions league football. No disrespect to Villa but i­ just cant see them playing in it. Am a liverpool fan.­ It would be nice for him to come to us because he gives­ 100% all the time. Where ever he is next season good­ luck to the lad!!

    From steven, on Tue 26 May 5:22PM

  8. Me think's no-one else want's him anyway!!!

    From REAL REDS boycot the SUN, on Tue 26 May 4:34PM

  9. Nice words Randy, and the action so far has matched­ them.

    From tuscanvillan, on Tue 26 May 3:40PM

  10. fair play villa stick to your guns do what right for­ villa an knowone else

    From Jimmyrice man u are champs again, on Tue 26 May 3:29PM
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