Speculation is rife that Arsenal will make a move for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry in the wake of Gilberto Silva's anticipated departure from North London.
The Brazilian has agreed a three-year deal to join Panathinaikos and is due to arrive in Athens this evening for his unveiling. While Silva's value to Arsenal has diminished significantly in recent years, his exit leaves Arsene Wenger with a serious shortage of central midfielders.
Both Lassana Diarra and Mathieu Flamini have left the club this year and while Aaron Ramsey has moved to the Emirates the 17-year-old is not regarded as a viable first-team option for the forthcoming season.
Wenger is believed to be planning on pairing Cesc Fabregas with Abou Diaby, leaving just Denilson and Ramsey, who in any case might be used on the left of midfield as Tomas Rosicky recovers from an operation on his thigh, as cover.
A move for Barry is thus a realistic expectation, with the player currently stuck in limbo having burnt his bridges at Villa and Liverpool unable to raise the funds for his recruitment.
Martin O'Neill reported earlier this week that the Gunners had made a tentative enquiry and, according to The Independent, 'Arsenal expect to be in a position to make an offer for Gareth Barry this week when they finally close the deal to sell their former captain Gilberto Silva.'
'The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, has let it be known to the club's hierarchy that he rates the England midfielder highly and Wenger rarely discloses the identity of a transfer target until he is reasonably certain that he is sure of the player's suitability.'
After an unseemly spat with Rafa Benitez over his pursuit of Barry, O'Neill is bound to regard selling Barry to Arsenal rather than Liverpool as the more favourable option, although that is unlikely to result in the Villa boss lowering his £18m valuation of the England midfielder. It is debatable whether Wenger would be willing to spend that amount on a holding midfielder or even if he has the funds to make such an offer.
It is becoming clear that Liverpool do not possess the money to match Villa's valuation and, as The Times notes, 'With Xabi Alonso's proposed move to Juventus having fallen through, the Merseyside club may have to abandon their summer-long pursuit of the England midfield player. There have been claims from Anfield that Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, has a fall-back option who would cost little more than £6 million.'
Your Comments
imcfitz
"as a liverpool fan i will really stop following football if rafa sells xabi to arsenal to fund buying gaz baz. rafa please shave the face fuzz and put the thinking cap on for once!"
hackneyval
"No,No,No, Arsenal can't and shouldn't spend 18m on Mr Barry? If Barry want to go to Liverpool, maybe he should think about paying part of the bid himself, as Barry is so keen on the move. "
foxy
"like the idea shedzy, having 24 players in your starting line up is bound to throw the other teams tactics out the window. then again there might be over of the 'walking the ball into the net' syndrome'"
dehya
"I'd like to see Barry at Arsenal, and I feel he'd complement Cesc well. Although what troubles me is he clearly had/has his heart set on joining Liverpool and a central mid partnership with Stevie G (proven). So, I'd feel Arsenal would be a second choice for him, which just doesn't sit right for me... he's not worth 18Mil either. Excellent player tho!"
shedzy
"Diaby, Denilson and Ramsey will be central midfield alongside Cesc next year, Eduardo, Vela, Rosicky and Walcott will be on the wings, Eduardo, van Persie, Adebayor (or a replacement IF he leaves), Bendtner and Vela will be up front. No Barry, and unless Ade leaves then no Hunelaar/Diogo/Enrico Palazzo/Kaiser Sauzee etc."
Elvinjons
"We only got about £10 mill up front for Hleb. Add £2 mill for Gilberto. That just about pays for Nasri. Ronny's gone to Milan so Ade won't go there. The only way we'll get either Barry or Alonso is if Barca buy Ade for £15 mill + Eto'o. Won't happen."
Bishop
"Everyone talking about Vela when it comes to a replacement for Flamini or Silva should realise that he's a winger, but will be used as a forward - similar to Eduardo. £18M for Barry is insane, so I doubt Wenger will blow that on a functional player. If Alonso aint good enough to be at Liverpool then why have him at Aresenal? I think Arsenal will end up doing with what they have, as they have done when it comes to central defenders. Wenger never pays over the odds for anyone, no matter how much they're needed."
jedi_keith
"So let me get this right, Arsenal are going to buy Barry or Alonso, Liverpool are going to buy Barry and sell Alonso, Or alternatively Liverpool wont buy Barry, hence not selling Alonso hence Arsenal can't buy Alonso so then Arsenal will then buy Barry. Cant Liverpool & Arsenal reach some kind of time share deal, half a season each player and split the cost of Barry, I should be a Manager."
Colly22
"Arsenal wont come up with the 18 million asking price for this lad, he is overpriced and almost over age, Arsenal dont pay big cash for young talent never mind big cash for a jacked up decent player! "
lakesgooner
"I failed to see how Barry would fit into Liverpools plans even without Xabi Alonso in the equation. However I can see Barry fitting into the role that he plays for England and the role that Flamini did so well for us last season. Although I still personally don't agree with the stupid transfer fees that clubs have to pay for English talent. When will clubs learn that the players price tags do not reflect how good they are, and to be quite frank it is ludicrous. Get an eff-ing grip English football."
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