ARSENAL have made a sensational 11th-hour move
to hijack Gareth Barry’s move to Liverpool. The Mersey giants were
locked in high-level talks with Aston Villa all day yesterday, as
they haggled over the price for the Midlanders’
captain.
But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger declared his own
interest in midweek and Arsenal officials have contacted Villa to
find out the latest position. While no official bid has been
lodged, the Gunners are prepared to offer cash plus a fringe player
like defender Justin Hoyte.
Wenger would be able to increase his bid if Emmanuel
Adebayor and Alex Hleb were to be sold, as they could bring in
around £45m between them. He has long admired Barry and, having
lost Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan and with Gilberto heading for
Panathinaikos, has decided to act.
Villa are holding out for £18m cash. If Arsenal agreed
a deal, Barry would become their record buy. Liverpool do not want
to go higher than £15m cash plus add-ons, which would take the
eventual fee to £17m.