Chelsea are planning a sensational £15million raid for Aston Villa
and England star Gareth Barry.
Boss Avram Grant will be cleared to make an offer in the January
transfer window after the Stamford Bridge scouting staff pushed
Barry's claims. Barry's stock has never been higher after replacing
Frank Lampard in the England side - and the fact that Chelsea are
keen on him suggests that contract rebel Lampard may be leaving,
probably for Spain.
Owner Roman Abramovich is willing to back Grant, basking in
yesterday's 6-0 thrashing of Manchester City, in his spending
although he is also plotting moves for Barcelona idol Ronaldinho
and Milan play-maker Kaka.
Barry signed a new contract with Villa recently, but Chelsea's
money will talk. The Villa star has formed an impressive
understanding with Steven Gerrard in the heart of England's
midfield.
While Lampard's Stamford Bridge future is in doubt, the move for
Barry also poses questions about Steve Sidwell's place in the
Chelsea squad.
Sidwell - or Shaun Wright-Phillips - may be offered to Villa during
the upcoming negotiations. Villa manager Martin O'Neill has fancied
both in the past.
