Liverpool FC Forum

DrPepe wrote:

Owzat wrote:I think we're in danger of falling into the same trap the mancs did with Hargreaves, get obsessed with a player who is good, but not that good, and get well and truly screwed over the fee. Since when have villa been so reasonable in valuations that "acceptable" is likely to be anything realistic given he is in the last year of his contract?

didn't we get 10m for crouch in his last year of contract? 

it all depends how desperate villa think we are

and we seem to be acting very desperate indeed 

More fool Pompey. I think Crouch was a more valuable asset in the sense he was a striker and a bit younger at the time, but anyone who's been on here more than five minutes knows I think Crouch has never been worth more than £7m anyway. So what if pompey were stupid enough to sign Crouch for that sum, just as stupid as Hargreaves for £17m or Barry for £18m

Aren't pompey now in financial strife? No wonder if they pay over the odds for players. 11 league goals in 32 apps (I think it is this season) is worth £11m - don't make me laugh. Stick to moaning about Keane being subbed in a Liverpool shirt 

RobinHood6969 wrote:

GYBS wrote:Barry offered new Villa contract
Gareth Barry
Barry has been at Villa since 1997

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner says he is "optimistic" midfielder Gareth Barry will stay at the club after offering the England international a new deal.

Barry, 28, almost joined Liverpool last summer but the deal collapsed after the Reds failed to meet his £18m price tag.

"We have discussed a new deal with Gareth," Lerner told BBC Sport. "He's a gentleman, a great player and captain."

Lerner has also told Villa boss Martin O'Neill that he has money to spend in the transfer market this summer.

O'Neill spent around £50m on new players last summer and although Lerner refused to put a figure on how much was available this time, the American admitted substantial funds would once more be available.

"Will £50m be available again this summer? I don't know," he said.

"Sitting here now if I was to come out and say 'yes' I would put the club at some disadvantage in terms of pricing.

I am confident of keeping Martin long term even if a big job came up

Lerner on O'Neill

"Will there be funds for players this summer? Yes. Like any club we are conscious of having money available for the summer.

"We are also conscious of managing the players leaving and trying to generate funds from that. It is a balancing act but, yes, there will be funds.

"Will the credit crunch impact on funds available this summer? I don't really view the credit crunch as a big issue in terms of the funding for the summer."

Last summer there was huge speculation that Barry, who had stated his desire to join Liverpool, was set to sign for Rafa Benitez's side.

606: DEBATE
Do Villa need Barry?

But after Liverpool failed to match Villa's asking fee, which resulted in Benitez criticising Reds co-owner Tom Hicks, Barry changed his mind, to the delight of Lerner.

"I don't think anyone could do better than Gareth on any level," said the Villa owner, who gave a rare interview to BBC Radio 5 Live's Brian Alexander and other journalists.

"Am I optimistic Gareth will stay? Yes, I am optimistic. It is my nature.

"He is currently speaking to Martin and that is the natural process. They will get into it and it will all get handled in the normal ways."

Lerner added that he was willing to run down the midfielder's current deal, which has 12 months left, if Barry does not sign a new contract.

You are talking about a player who is an integral part of your potential success

Lerner on Barry

That would mean Barry could leave at the end of next season without Villa receiving a transfer fee.

"Am I happy for him to wind down his current contract? That's his decision. If it means he is staying another year, I am absolutely happy," said Lerner.

"Even though Villa would lose £10 to £12m? Yes, absolutely. You are talking about a player who is an integral part of your potential success.

"That is in terms of playing more games, to winning competitions etc. That is similarly lucrative to a transfer fee this summer when you think about what you can achieve with a player like that.

"It is not like you forego the proceeds and you are getting nothing back."

The American, who took control of Villa in 2006, said he was also sure that manager O'Neill would remain at the Birmingham club for the foreseeable future, even though he continues to operate on a 12-month rolling contract.

"I am confident of keeping Martin long term even if a big job came up," he said.

"I think Martin has bought into the club. I think he has emotionally invested. He has bought into me and my ambitions to some extent."


Good news IMO - sign it barry

Na i want barry on bench.. we need the depth if we gotta fight for a treble and last the season

RobinHood6969 wrote:Na i want barry on bench.. we need the depth if we gotta fight for a treble and last the season

NANNY RED wrote:

Ciggy wrote:Barry and Babel in swap deal.

Benitez needs cash to fund a spending spree that could bring Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Gareth Barry to Merseyside.

Barry's future at Villa is again in doubt with the club's owner Randy Learner claiming the player would stay at Villa Park after discussions started over a new contract.

But Barry is known to want Champions League football, and Liverpool could sweeten a possible move by including Babel as bait. Villa still want £10million for Barry and a swap deal may suit all parties.

I wouldnt mind that swap , Do you know what though i really cant understand Rafas fixation with Barry i know hes a good player but hes not one of these players who when you see you say to everyone fecking hell thatssome player that. But that swap Cigg will do for me ,

tonyeh wrote:

NANNY RED wrote:

Ciggy wrote:Barry and Babel in swap deal.

Benitez needs cash to fund a spending spree that could bring Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Gareth Barry to Merseyside.

Barry's future at Villa is again in doubt with the club's owner Randy Learner claiming the player would stay at Villa Park after discussions started over a new contract.

But Barry is known to want Champions League football, and Liverpool could sweeten a possible move by including Babel as bait. Villa still want £10million for Barry and a swap deal may suit all parties.

I wouldnt mind that swap , Do you know what though i really cant understand Rafas fixation with Barry i know hes a good player but hes not one of these players who when you see you say to everyone fecking hell thatssome player that. But that swap Cigg will do for me ,

I agree Nana..........I just don't get it either.

He's never been a player to catch my eye and he certainly was nothing special this season that's for sure.

Still, benitez obviously sees something in him.

Redman in wales wrote:Whether or not we sign Gaz Baz - for me the issue is who stays....

If we sign Barry and lose Alonso - thats a step backwards imo

If we sign Barry, keep alonso and lose Lucas - thats a step forwards imo.

burjennio wrote:Man City Talks

Interesting, I was under the impression he wanted a move to play CL football, not buy a bigger house

exactly my thought, wft is with this guy