O`neill says Barry not going cheap. - Transfer Talk
Who? - Gareth Barry - Quite likely Where is he? - Aston Villa Who is he linked with? - Liverpool
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has conceded it will be difficult to keep hold of Gareth Barry, but has warned Liverpool that his captain will not leave unless a sufficient bid is received. Villa have already rejected two bids for the England international from the Anfield club, with the second believed to have been worth around 15million. Barry has told his manager that he wants to join the Reds, but O'Neill is adamant that his 27-year-old club captain will only be allowed to leave Villa Park if Liverpool up their offer. O'Neill had previously reacted angrily to the Reds' first approach for the services of the versatile midfielder, slamming Anfield counterpart Rafa Benitez for his public statements of intent. "It might be difficult (to keep hold of him)," he told the BBC. "Gareth and I had a little chat when he got back from holiday and he has said he would fancy going to Liverpool. That's obviously a big setback to us, but the offer from Liverpool is just not acceptable. It's very frustrating. He's been a splendid player for us for some considerable time and we want to try and improve because the club are capable of doing that. But if Manchester United are struggling to keep hold of (Cristiano) Ronaldo then the rest of us are in a bit of trouble. It's difficult but if we have to go on without Gareth Barry then we'll still have a go (at breaking into the top four)."
Who? - Didier Digard - Speculation Where is he? - Paris St Germain Who is he linked with? - Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough transfer target Didier Digard has revealed he remains in the dark about a potential move to the Riverside Stadium. Reports had claimed the Paris St Germain midfielder was poised to join the Teessiders after passing a medical at the club's training ground. However, the 21-year-old Frenchman has revealed that the deal with Gareth Southgate's side has not yet advanced to that stage. Boro have reportedly tabled a 3.5million offer for the France Under-21 international, who finished a frustrating league season in Paris on the treatment table with a lengthy thigh muscle injury absence. "I am staying with a friend but I have not passed any medical," Digard is reported as saying. "I do not know yet if I will go to Middlesbrough. We will see."
Who? - Dean Whitehead Speculation Where is he? - Sunderland Who is he linked with? - Stoke City
Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead has hit out at reports suggesting he wanted to leave the club following a bust-up with manager Roy Keane. Whitehead was linked with a move to Premier League new-boys Stoke City, but the 26-year-old midfielder insists the reports were wildly inaccurate. The former Oxford United midfielder missed three months of the last campaign with a knee ligament injury, but returned in late November and played in all 25 remaining league games for the Black Cats. "It's exciting times for the club and I want to be a part of it," he told the club's official website. "I've been here four years now, I've seen a few ups and downs, but securing top-flight status was a huge thing for us last season and I can't wait to tackle it again this year. The gaffer is planning to bring in some new players and that will only benefit the club and me as a player. It will create more competition for places and will improve the overall quality of the squad when we sometimes lacked it last season, so it should enable the club to move on to the next level. I certainly want to be a part of that and I'm looking forward to the challenge of staying in the team."
Who? - Sergio Ramos - Speculation Where is he? - Real Madrid Who is he linked with? - Manchester United
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has admitted he is flattered following reports linking him with a move to Manchester United. The versatile Spain international has reportedly been targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson as the ideal man to bolster his defence as he can play at either right-back or centre-half. The 22-year-old has been one of Real's most consistent performers in each of their last two title-winning seasons following a €27million move from Sevilla in 2005. But despite admitting he is happy the Bernabeu, the 34-times capped international has suggested that a move to Old Trafford would interest him. "It is a good sign that such big teams are interested in me, but not I have no ideas about that," said Ramos. "I have a good contract with Madrid and I am focussed on the Spanish team. When the European Championships finish we can see what happens." United have also been linked with a move for Ramos' Real Madrid team-mate and Brazil international forward Robinho.
