City move first in bid to prize Barry from Villa
By: Rob | June 2nd, 2009
Manchester City have had a £12m bid for Gareth Barry accepted, as Villa seem to have accepted that the England midfielder is on his way out of Birmingham. Last season, Villa were in a stand off with Liverpool over a potential £18m move for the player.
I don’t know if City will sign him. At £12m Liverpool and Arsenal will almost certainly both quickly join the running for him – though if Sky Sports News are to believed, there is only one club in the running, and he’s due for a medical at Eastlands. It has to be said, this is a very sensible move for City. Despite the press-fuelled moves for players like Kaká and Ronaldinho and other players they aren’t anywhere near signing, it shows that they do have a bit of football sense and Mark Hughes probably has got some element of control.
Of course without any European football at all, despite any money and promises City were to make Barry it would still be seen as a step down. But if they can get him, and start building a team (as opposed to a group of superstars) they maybe they can push forward to Europe next season.
But at £12m, Liverpool who were willing to pay all of that last season will definitely be in the running. Its questionable as to how much they actually need him (How many defensive midfielders does Rafa want at the club?) but usually when a manager craves a player as much as Rafa seems to with Barry this kind of thing is unlikely to go unnoticed.
Meanwhile, he’s exactly what Arsenal need, and at £12m, might not be out of their price range. A solid English player, in the centre of midfield and a bit of experience to take the weight of the young sides shoulders could be the absolute right thing for the club. Plus, if they keep getting wingers injured (Tomas Rosicky I’m looking at you) he can always play wide left.
So Barry is on the move in all likelyhood, but where is he off to? Hopefully it’ll be sorted out quickly unlike last season….
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Comments
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i don’t understand this at all from villa’s point of view. especially the 12mil part. wasn’t it up around 20 last season? wouldn’t villa think they could pry more out of city for the lynchpin of their team?
don’t believe it.
Posted from
United States
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i hope city to get barry… hes agreat player and can make a great goal.
http://pujaanse7en.blogspot.com/Posted from
United States -
…And He’s Gone!
Posted from
United States -
That’s just a strange as hell transfer to me, for all parties involved.
Posted from
Spain -
wow…
Posted from
United States -
Alessio, why for city? For Barry yes, possibly for villa although he only had a year left on his contract; but for city I think he’s a quality signing. Admittedly though they do seem to be signing a lot of defensive midfielders.
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United States
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