Aston Villa remain adamant today that the Gareth Barry transfer saga is over despite Liverpool still maintaining that a deal for the England midfielder can be done.
Several press reports have claimed the protracted deal has been revived and could still go through this week, but Villa sources immediately refuted that claim.
Today, despite strong speculation the deal was still alive, sources at Villa insisted there had been no new bid and nothing had changed.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill last night announced he was delighted to have got "closure" on the matter and that Barry would not be leaving the club.
But from the Merseyside end of the saga, Liverpool insist they are still active in the deal and after they returned from their friendly in Villarreal on Wednesday night more moves are believed to have taken place.
Yesterday, Villa issued a statement on their club website saying the deal was dead because Liverpool had failed to meet a 5pm deadline to meet their demands.
Liverpool insist they did have the cash in place and would use Steve Finnan as a makeweight. Finnan, however, was allowed to play in the second-half of the 0-0 draw with Villarreal, risking injury in the process.
O'Neill said last night: "Naturally we're all absolutely delighted that Gareth will be staying at Villa Park and relieved that there is resolution and closure to the transfer saga.
"At a very positive meeting on Monday it was agreed between Gareth, his agent, Mr Lerner and myself that a deadline should be communicated to Liverpool to finally resolve the situation.
"Liverpool were informed and that deadline came and passed. Now we can all look forward to the season ahead with relief, anticipation and ambition."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez evaded questions about the collapse of the deal in Spain last night, but today he has made it clear, privately, that he will not give up on his goal.
It is believed Barry and his agent have another planned meeting with O'Neill later this week, and it seems that the summer's most protracted transfer saga is still not over.
The key to the situation now seems to be how Barry will react to O'Neill's very public assertion that he is staying.
More news from SportingLife.com
Comment 1 - 18 of 18
Barry is a quality player but heīs not worth 18m for Godīs sake. We should buy Slovakian hot-prospect Marek Hamsik. We should negotiate quickly because Inter is interested in buying him too. Benitez leave Barry at Villa heīs too expensive
Will they make up their *%$&*@* minds!! I'm a Villa fan, and would love to keep him, but I'm getting VERY VERY BORED by this saga, and I dont think its painting us in a good light at all.
Marton O Neill is not doing the right thing, hes not going to attract players with his antics by making a player, who played for 10 years for a club that basically won nothing, not allowing him to be transfered. The only thing that springs to mind is that when O'Neill became manager Barry decided to stay at the club, now hes worth 18m and is England squad regular, I think Martin feels like Barry owes him some respect by honoring his contract.
Barry wants to move, i admit Liverpool are a bit short of cash but in spite of their difficulties they want to land themselves in trouble financially to get Gareth, does this not say something. They have offered what they think he is worth and upped it a number of times trying to reason out a number of cash plus player deals, they are trying while understandably villa are trying to keep their talismanic captain as liverpool did against chelsea with Gerrard. I would be happy for Barry to join the pool but wonder if it is for the best if it was at the expense of Alonso. However it works out someone will be unhappy and dissapointed but at the end of the day there will be football to watch and drama to come.... YNWA
DR WHAT A HALFWIT!!!
@#$% liverpool, gareth barry is a villan. i said if he played in the intertoto he would stay so @#$% all liverpool fans who thought they could have him cos there a bigger club!@#$% you we're the bigger club!!!!
Im not sure why Barry would want to play for Liverpool instead of Aston Vanilla....Oh yes i do!!!! Champions league football!!!!! Full ground every week playing with world class players !!!! ( unlike the has beens your buying now!! 37 year old keepers indeed!)....A chance of actually winning something!!!! Not having to hear the dopey thick tones of the kipper tie brigade!!!!Im ashamed to be british when when im holiday and hear ....yow ulroyt!!! and finally......Its probably nice for him to get away from that bog trotter !!!!!!!
I f the scousers are serious about Gareth Barry, why didn't they get him before Keane?
TYPICAL VILLA NO LOYALTY ONE DAY BARRY WANTS TO BE A SCOUSE GIT THE NEXT A WANNA BE BRUMIE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT HE WILL BE A BIRMINGHAM CITY FAN LIKE ALL TURNCOAT VILLA FANS OOPS DID I SAY SOMETHING WRONG!
WHY DONT LIVERPOOL DO WHAT MY OLD DAD USED TO SAY RUN AROUND IN EVER DECREACING CIRCLES LIKE THE UESLEM BIRD AND VANISH UP THEIR OWN ARSES LEAVE BARRY WHERE HE IS
thank god he is staying he not as good as alonso who is a champions leauge winner and eruo champion winner
i am very proud to be a villa fan right now. after losing the likes of yorke and bosnich to bigger clubs in the past while us fans look on helpless, we finally have the owners and management who are prepared to stand up to these so-called bigger clubs and protect what is ours and continue to build. despite his mistakes in recent times, i have faith that gareth barry is professional enough to put this behind him and play a major part in driving us forward. up the villa
Alonso better than barry (GOD) now i know you lot up there are a load of comedians
and if so why did he not play regualry last season.
Who the hell does O'Neil think he is what a silly Irish arse, and all you Villa fans need to wake up and stop dreaming you will be lucky to be in the top ten by the end of next season with or with out Barry. I like others think Alonso is better than Barry so keep him.
BYE BYE now
i wonder why so much GB issue on this website. liverpool should be able to pay for what they want and stop wasting valuable time. aston villa have said yes but at a price so that should not have been an issue. why wait till dead line before paying. i am sure liverpool did not have the money. they made choice for Robbie and that was it. they did not want to look stupid or tell the world they are cashless. by the way, was price the issue? every EPL coach have been overvaluing players since the roman empire. i recalled wenger warning on the consequencies and now it is coming to pass. liverpool believe that alonso will be sold and the fund used to fund GB. poor planning.
I really dont know why liverpool want barry,Alonso is streets ahead.
Yes. IF Barry joined the Red, his career would be in the REAR
Gareth Barry should tell O'neil to stop playing with his carear and if he has any respect for him to let him go and achieve his dream of playing for Liverpool and in the champions league.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account