No end in sight to Gareth Barry saga

Jul 17 2008

Despite reports to the contrary Liverpool have not given up hope of simultaneously ending Gareth Barry's Aston Villa nightmare and the longest running transfer saga of the summer.

The Anfield club have been connected with the England midfielder ever since the transfer window reopened but have been unable to agree a fee with Villa manager Martin O'Neill, due in no small part to the fact they have also been unable to reach an agreement over the sale of Xabi Alonso to Juventus.

That - and the fact Barry gave an unauthorised interview in which he criticised O'Neill, has left the Villa captain in limbo and wonder-ing whether he will ever fulfill his desire to play Champions League football.

Having already had three bids for Barry rejected, the most recent believed to have been around £15 million, it has been suggested Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has tired of his pursuit of Barry and will now turn his attention to other areas of his team.

But The Post understands Liverpool are still intent on making the 27-year-old their fourth signing of the summer despite the fact Barry is now injured having returned to training.

Barry will not travel to Denmark as Villa begin their Intertoto Cup campaign at Odense although Villa supporters will be able to see another frustrating midfielder in the form of Eric Djemba-Djemba who yesterday signed for the Danes.

The 27-year-old moves from Qatar Sports Club where he spent just one year having failed to settle at Burnley, Villa Park or Old Trafford....SUPL: