Liverpool FC ready to raise Gareth Barry stakes
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL are weighing up an improved bid for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.
Reports today claim the Reds are ready to make a straight £15m cash offer,
after Villa confirmed yesterday their skipper wants to join the Reds.
Anfield officials said today such reports were "categorically untrue" and
they have still not decided how much or when their latest offer will be tabled.
But with boss Rafa Benitez keen to wrap up a deal, an improved offer is
likely to be made later today.
Benitez has already had offers of £10m and £12m rejected by Villa
counterpart Martin O'Neill.
And in a statement yesterday Villa said: "Gareth Barry has stated in
discussions with our manager he would like to leave Aston Villa to join
Liverpool.
"But Liverpool's bid for the player has been rejected and they have been
informed of Villa's continued position in this matter."
It appears that O'Neill is intent on squeezing every last cent out of
Anfield before allowing his captain to leave.
The Villa boss has always claimed that his skipper is worth as much as
Javier Mascherano, who joined Liverpool for £18m in January – even though
the Argentine is three years younger.
Spain coach Luis Aragones, meanwhile, has played down fears of an injury to
Fernando Torres following his side's Euro 2008 opener in which they
defeated Russia 4-1.
The Liverpool striker was replaced after 54 minutes by Arsenal midfielder
Cesc Fabregas, despite creating the crucial breakthrough goal for
co-striker David Villa.
But Aragones explained: "There was no injury whatsoever. Torres has had a
long tough season, he will be a very important player for us.
"But at that point we needed more strength in the centre of midfield. He
was a very important player in helping (David) Villa score the first goal
and he made it tough for our opponents."
Meanwhile, reports today have linked Liverpool's reserve goalkeeper Charles
Itandje with a move to Fulham for a nominal fee.
posted by lfc vancouver @ 7:14 AM
