Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Gunners ponder Barry bid

15 Jul 2008 - 08:54:47

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Arsenal have made a tentative enquiry to see if Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry would be interested in moving to the Emirates Stadium.

The England international has been linked with Liverpool throughout the summer but Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been unable to agree a transfer fee with the Reds for the 27-year-old.

O'Neill said on Saturday that a deal still had not been struck between the two clubs, although he was hopeful of a resolution soon.

However, the Gunners are now believed to be ready to launch a bid for Barry, with right-back Justin Hoyte potentially involved in the deal as part-exchange.

Arsenal's assistant manager, Pat Rice, has contacted Villa, according to O'Neill, who told The Sun: "Myself and Steve Walford both know Arsene Wenger's assistant Pat Rice.

"He phoned Steve to ask how the Liverpool thing had gone and said that they might show an interest.

"At the end of the conversation Arsenal said 'that's fine' and that they'll let us know. That's exactly what happened."