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Barry 'undervalued' by Liverpool, O'Neill claims

08/05/2008

Martin O'Neill has claimed Liverpool's £10 million valuation of Gareth Barry is a long way short of the actual price Aston Villa would be expecting.

In comments that are likely to fuel rumours that the England international is set to leave Villa Park in the summer, O'Neill has claimed the club will not enter into negotiations if any potential buyer refuses to up their bid.

In addition to Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also rumoured to be interested in Barry, who is keen to play regular European football to boost his international chances.

But O'Neill has stated he will fight tooth and nail to keep one of the club's prized assets.

"Is Barry undervalued at £10 million? Absolutely, without question. This lad is playing for England," the Villans boss said.

"That is not to say we want to give a certain valuation and then, if Liverpool come up with it, we will do business. That is not what we want to do at all."

O'Neill claims the Reds' have already tabled a part-exchange offer for Barry, but he has rejected it because he believes it does not present genuine value to the Midlands outfit.

"Liverpool talked about a £10 million bid, which was some cash and some unnamed players," he continued.

"That is very presumptuous of them, that the players they might be talking about, are the ones you would want - that is why I dismissed the whole thing.

"The whole story seems to have grown arms and legs and seems to be saying 'whatever Liverpool are asking for, they will get' but I don't see that as being the case."