Liverpool's owners have set their own price on Gareth
Barry – just £12million. And that cut-price valuation will cause
more problems with boss Rafa Benitez.
The Anfield boss is not happy that Americans Tom Hicks and
George Gillett agree with chief executive Rick Parry that Aston
Villa’s £18m asking price for the England midfielder is
unrealistic.
The Liverpool heirarchy are only prepared to do business if
Villa slash a third off their Barry price-tag.
The move will anger Villa boss Martin O’Neill, who has now told
his former captain he can leave after a summer spent trying to
resist Liverpool’s overtures.
Benitez will be just as furious - and the situation could
re-open rifts between the Spaniard and his employers.