Martin O'Neill concedes losing skipper Gareth
Barry
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is set to make a
£5million move for Chelsea's Steve Sidwell after becoming resigned
to losing skipper Gareth Barry this summer. O'Neill is desperate to
keep England international Barry but the 27-year-old is ready to
leave Villa Park after 10 years at the club in search of Champions
League football next season.
Barry has been linked with Liverpool after boss Rafa Benitez
made an enquiry last month about the £14m-rated midfielder but
Chelsea are also reported to be interested.
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is lining up a £5million move
for Chelsea's Steve Sidwell after admitting that skipper Gareth
Barry may quit this summer. Barry has two years remaining on his
contract and Villa are set to reward him a bumper new deal to
improve his £47,000-a-week contract but O'Neill accepts it will
difficult to keep hold of his star man.
O'Neill said: "We will do our utmost to try to keep Gareth -
whether we can I don't know." Sidwell, 25, is set to be sold for a
huge profit by Chelsea after making just seven Premier League
starts since joining on a free transfer from Reading last
summer.
O'Neill is also battling it out with Newcastle for £250,000
Bournemouth 18-year-old Sam Vokes.