Laursen urges Barry support
08 Jul 2008 - 07:54:45
Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen has urged unhappy fans to understand skipper Gareth Barry's desire to leave the Midlands club.
The England midfielder has been the subject of four unsuccessful bids from Liverpool this summer despite revealing his desire to join the Anfield club in search of Champions League football.
The 27-year-old has been told to stay away from pre-season training by manager Martin O'Neill as the saga rumbles on, but Laursen hopes the protracted nature of the transfer does not turn Villa fans against their former captain.
O'Neill is believed to be holding out for an £18million fee for the versatile midfielder, while Liverpool are reported to have only offered around £15million.
"Gareth has played some wonderful football for 10 years for this club, is a great player and a regular for the England squad," said Laursen, who also admitted it would be an honour to be named the new club captain.
"He has done brilliantly for the last two years. That is why his price is higher now.
"It is sad it is ending the way it is for a player that has done so much for this club.
"I can only say that I am sad the fans are angry with him now because they have to remember how much he has done for the club and he has been a really good player.
"With his quality and the goals he has scored, I don't think the fans should forget that. I hope they will keep that in mind."
