Villa to take Barry risk

O'Neill insists club are not looking to cash in on midfielder

Last updated: 9th November 2008

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Barry: Buy-out clause

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Manager Martin O'Neill insists Aston Villa will not be looking to cash in on prize asset Gareth Barry in January.

Barry almost joined Liverpool in an £18million deal in the summer and Villa feel there will be renewed interest in the England international come the next transfer window, with Arsenal and Tottenham expected to join the race.

The continued presence of Barry has helped Villa to fifth place in the Premier League and an impressive start to their Uefa Cup campaign.

Should Villa hang on to Barry for the rest of the season then he could buy out the remaining year of his contract for just £2million next summer.

And O'Neill maintains that is a risk the club is willing to take.

"Cashing in on Gareth has never been a big concern - it certainly wasn't in the summer for the owner of this club," O'Neill told the Daily Star Sunday.

Cut price

"If it had been we'd have taken a cut price for him then.

"I don't know if our success this season is having any effect on Gareth's future here. We'll take it through to the window and see what develops.

"I couldn't tell you for certain how he feels because I haven't spoken to him about it.

"But there is time enough to think about it after Christmas.

"He is playing very well and has bounced back from the disappointment of what went on in the summer.

"I don't know where we stand politically on players buying out contracts. But if Gareth doesn't sign a new deal he will have one year left to run after this season."