Gareth Barry exit closer as Liverpool agree deal for Xabi Alonso

Jun 13 2008 By Bill Howell

GARETH Barry's protracted move to Liverpool from Villa has moved a step closer with Liverpool set to finally sell Xabi Alonso to Juventus for £14.2million.

It now paves the way for an improved offer in the region of £15million from the Anfield club after two unsuccessful bids of £12million and £13 million were rebuffed by the Villa board.

Both clubs now want a swift end to the impasse with Martin O'Neill keen to bring in a number of targets before the InterToto opener on July 19/20.

O'Neill is in pole position to bring in Steve Sidwell from Chelsea, and is keen on James Milner, Tom Huddlestone, Shaun Scannell and Jimmy Bullard.

There were reports on Merseyside yesterday that the Liverpool- Barry deal was in jeopardy because Juventus had switched their attentions from Alonso to Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger after refusing to meet the Reds’ £15m asking price.

But Juventus now appear to have agreed a deal which will see Spanish international Alonso transferred for 18 million euros and - according to Il Corriere Dello Sport - the player's arrival is imminent.

It is reported that Juventus director Jean Claude Blanc flew to Liverpool yesterday to put the final touches to the deal with an official announcement made over the weekend.

Benitez will now turn his full focus to landing Barry who is also known to want a swift end to the uncertainty.