By James Dall Last updated: 2nd August 2008
Barry: Could still sign for Liverpool
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has conceded that Gareth Barry could still sign for Liverpool this summer.
Barry, who is reportedly valued by his current club at around £18million, had been expected to remain at Villa Park for the new season after a set deadline for his proposed transfer to Anfield was not met.
However, after holding talks with the England international and his agent, O'Neill has conceded that Liverpool have up until the end of the current transfer window to secure Barry's signature.
He said on the club's official website: "We had a meeting last Monday with Gareth and his agent at which we all agreed we would have a 5pm deadline on Wednesday and if Liverpool had not proved they had the wherewithal to proceed with the transfer deal then we would all leave that aside and go on with it.
"I was hoping that would be the case and this was not a matter of Liverpool missing the deadline by 15 minutes, as seems to have been reported.
"Liverpool first showed their interest in signing Gareth Barry almost four months ago, so this is not a case of missing a deadline by 15 minutes. That's simply not true.
"The following morning we were very upbeat on the strength of what had happened on Wednesday evening. We were very buoyant and optimistic that everything could come back to normal again.
"That wasn't to be though. On Thursday there was a meeting between Gareth's agent, myself and the player. They still felt that even though the deadline had passed they still felt Liverpool were going to come in and do the deal.
"Obviously I was disappointed to hear that. Gareth's head is a bit all over the place at the moment and they asked for some more time.
"So I've listened to what they've said and I'll go with it - reluctantly but I'll go with it. There will be no deadline and Liverpool have all the time in the world now to sign Gareth Barry. They've got up to the normal window, which is the 31st of this month.
"So it's really up to them, Gareth and his agent to sort it out. I've decided this is the only way forward for us really.
"I have a football club to run and I really do want people who want to play for us.
"If Liverpool at the end of it all do not come up with the money, that's no-one else's fault but their own.
"I'd be delighted if that was the case and Gareth stayed. But I would doubt that very much. The ball is very much in their court."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
Skysports.com takes a look at striker Michael Owen's career to date following his Man United switch.
Skysports.com assesses Michael Owen's possible free transfer to Manchester United.
Ian Rush told Sky Sports News that Sir Alex Ferguson's move for Michael Owen could prove a masterstroke.
Michael Owen is eager to put his "poor spell" at Newcastle behind him by scoring goals and lifting silverware at his new club Man United.
Manchester United have confirmed the shock capture of Michael Owen, with the striker signing a two-year contract at Old Trafford.
Michael Owen has signed for Man Utd, Chelsea have landed Daniel Sturridge, while Florentino Perez wants "two more signings".
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Daniel Sturridge on a four-year contract from Manchester City.
Joe Kinnear has backed Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to get the best out of Michael Owen.