Gareth Barry expects decision on future soon

May 30 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

GARETH BARRY is closing in on a decision over his Aston Villa future.

With Liverpool pondering their next move after having an initial player-plus-cash bid worth £10million rejected, the Villa captain is coming under increasing pressure in the midlands to commit his future to the club.

With the instant lure of a Champions League campaign almost certainly awaiting at Anfield next season, Barry faces a tough decision as Rafael Benitez steps up his determination to sign him.

He has already held one round of talks with Villa manager Martin O’Neill and club owner Randy Lerner with more set to take place in the near future.

Barry said: “Will I be at Villa next season? That is something I’ve been speaking to the manager and chairman about. We’ve already had one meeting.

“My idea was to get these two (England) games out of the way and I am sure we will be speaking again soon.

“Any sort of interest by a big club is flattering but I am still an Aston Villa player, I’ve got two years left of my contract and until some sort of bid is accepted, or the manager tells me otherwise, there is no decision to make.

“No decision has been made because no bid has been accepted.”

O’Neill has been outspoken in his belief that Barry should stay at Villa Park during a war of words between the two managers when news of the initial bid was made public.

But Liverpool are confident of landing the midfielder, who created England’s second goal for Steven Gerrard in Wednesday’s 2-0 friendly win over the USA.

Meanwhile, Benitez is set to discuss with Javier Mascherano the Argentinian’s possible participation in this summer’s Olympic Games.

Mascherano, 23, looks likely to be named in Sergio Batista’s Argentina squad as an over-age player.

Brazilian Lucas is also likely to be called up his country, leaving Benitez short of midfielders for the early stages of the campaign – but the club have no intention of trying to prevent a legitimate under-23 non-senior international going to Beijing.

Benitez said: “This is a very difficult situation for us because we have Lucas, who is eligible through his age with Brazil, and Mascherano, who can play for Argentina as an over-age player.

“So I need to discuss his position with him. We will see what happens.

“We have some time so we need to wait and we will try to find a solution with Mascherano that will be the best for the club and the best for the player. With Lucas and Sebastian Leto we will accept the situation.

“It is a difficult situation because if the countries want the best players to take part they have to go to the professional clubs. But from our point of view, we have to manage the situation as well as we can.”