Dirty Barry!
Who'd have thought the biggest, nastiest and most drawn out transfer saga of the summer would involve Gareth Barry, supposedly one of football's nice guys?
But it does, because Liverpool's attempts to sign Aston Villa's captain have been going on since the end of the Premier League season, and they're still going on. No-one's talking about Ronaldo to Real anymore – if you want bitterness and bullying and moaning and stubborn stand-offs, the Barry to Liverpool story is where it's at.
Here where we are so far. Liverpool offer £10million for Barry, Villa say no, we want £18m. Liverpool up it £1m. Villa say no. Liverpool up it another £1m. Villa say no, again. Barry returns from England duty to tell his manager at Villa, Martin O'Neill, that he wants to join Liverpool. O'Neill says he's disappointed, but that he can go if Liverpool make a sensible bid. Things go quiet. And then Barry lets rip in a Sunday tabloid interview, having a go at O'Neill, claiming he's been too busy doing TV work at Euro 2008 to even call him.
Uh-oh.
Cue a terse press release from O'Neill and Villa, re-affirming their position. They'll sell when Liverpool meet the asking price. Today, there were first reports of Liverpool offering around £17m, then reports that Liverpool deny making the bid, and then – AND THEN! – the news that Barry won't be reporting for training with the rest of the Villa squad on Thursday, first day back after the summer break.
Villa have disciplined him for giving that interview. So, now the club captain will be staying at home while his team-mates get into shape for the new season. Will Liverpool increase their bid? If not, will O'Neill forgive him and allow him back into the side? Or will he 'rot' in the reserves?
Watch this space. There's still a long way to go in the transfer window and this one could run and run… and run and run…
To bet on sport you know where to go…Bodog Sport will show you how.
Submit Your Comment