Liverpool kick off summer transfer season with Barry bid

LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool have kicked off what promises to be a busy summer transfer period by tabling a bid for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry that values the England midfielder at around ten million pounds (20 million dollars).

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has identified Barry, 27, as the key to strengthening his midfield and the Villa captain is reportedly keen on a move to a Champions League club.

Chelsea are also believed to be interested but Barry may be swayed by the chance of linking up at club level with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, with whom he has forged a good understanding in the England midfield.

Barry has two years left on his contract so Villa boss Martin O'Neill could opt to hang on to him, although that would involve accepting a substantial decline in the player's transfer value over the remainder of his current deal.

O'Neill reluctantly confirmed that a bid had been made by Liverpool but said it was not a straight cash offer, fuelling speculation that he has been seeking to persuade Benitez to allow England striker Peter Crouch to move to Villa Park.

The former Celtic boss insisted that his preference would be to keep Barry if at all possible.

"I don't want to be in a position of letting really good players go," O'Neill said. "Gareth Barry is a really good player who still has two years left on his contract.

"I haven't discussed these things with him yet. At some stage obviously I will do. But the day before probably our most important game of the season is not the time to be discussing it."

Arsenal meanwhile are facing the prospect of losing two of their midfield regulars with the future of both Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb up in the air.

Flamini, 24, is out of contract at the end of the season and is believed to be considering an offer from Juventus as well as a significantly improved deal from Arsenal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who had expected his compatriot to make a decision by the end of April, said on Friday that he expected an answer imminently.

"The latest is that we are at the end of April but it is still not sorted out," Wenger said. "Certainly we should get an answer today (Friday) or tomorrow."

Asked what he thought Flamini's decision would be, Wenger said: "I'm always positive because I believe the link he has with the club will be stronger than all the other different attractions that he can have.

"I know that if it's down to football then he will stay here. If it's down to financial resources he might not stay here.

"He is free to choose a different direction, everybody is free out of contract and you have to respect that."

Hleb is a target for Internazionale but Wenger said he has not yet been contacted by the Italian giants or any other club about the Belarus international.

Chelsea linked to £55m bid for Sergio Ramos

Chelsea have offered £55 million for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to reports in Spain.

Should they sign the defender Chelsea would once again break the Premier League transfer record, which they last set in 2006 when they paid a reported £32 million to AC Milan for Andriy Shevchenko.

Reports linking Ramos, who is under contract with Madrid until 2013, with a move to London have stemmed from a visit by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to Madrid earlier this week.

Ostensibly the Russian billionaire was in town for a basketball tournament, but rumours have been circulating that Abramovich is looking to secure the 22-year-old's signature, or at least sound out the possibility of a summer move.

Abramovich supposedly met with Ramos' brother and agent Rene Ramos at the basketball final.

According to the El Mundo newspaper, if the offer is accepted, the former Sevilla defender would become "the most expensive defender in history."

Real, who won a second straight Prima Liga title at the weekend, were said to be "reflecting on the offer".

Ramos currently plays a pivotal role at the Bernabeu. While he began his career as a right-sided defender, experience in La Liga has qualified him to play in any defensive position. He was signed in 2005 from Seville for £21 million, and has been described by the club as a possible future captain.

"He showcases drive, leadership, excellent defensive skills, great speed, a powerful shot, and a phenomenal goal-scoring instinct," Madrid sources said.

However, Spanish press believe that Madrid will seriously consider any offer from Chelsea, as Ramos' transfer would "open the door" to a high profile signing in the summer, with Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas believed to be top of Real's wish-list.

Hughes words taken for Grant-ed

Richard Hughes has claimed that comments he made about Chelsea boss Avram Grant are a "misrepresentation" of what he had actually said.

Grant's future at Stamford Bridge had once again came under spotlight, with Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard tipped, once more, to replace him at the end of the season.

The speculation was sparked by supposed comments from Portsmouth midfielder Hughes who is said to be a close friend of the Israeli from their time together at Portsmouth when Grant was director of football.

Hughes was quoted as saying that Grant would be happy to move aside and let Rijkaard take over even though he has guided Chelsea to the final of the Champions League and to the brink of winning the Barclays Premier League.

But in a statement on Portsmouth's official club website the 28-year-old said he has not been in contact with Grant since he left Fratton Park.

"Today's stories concerning the future of Avram Grant in certain papers is totally misleading," Hughes told the club's wesbite.

"I have not spoken to Avram since he left to join Chelsea and nor have I ever said I have. I have certainly never discussed his future at Chelsea.

"The words reported were a misrepresentation of what I have said and have cause me a great deal of distress, particularly as Avram is someone I have huge respect for.

"I will speak to Avram to put forward my side of the story and to assure him that the words attributed to me were totally misleading."

Carvalho a worry for Chelsea

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho faces a race to be fit in time for their crucial game against Bolton on Sunday.

Carvalho limped out of their victory over Newcastle on Monday afternoon after twice falling heavily on his back.

The Portuguese international underwent intensive treatment on the injury yesterday and is desperate to be fit in time to face Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea know that a result which betters Manchester United's on the final day of the season will earn them the title.

Carvalho has become a vital member of the side and has not been on the losing side in the last 42 league games he had played in.

It is a run that stretches back to Chelsea's away defeat at Tottenham in November 2006.

Striker Salomon Kalou is also struggling with an ankle injury but he should be fit in time.

But the future of coach Avram Grant has once again came under spotlight, with Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard tipped, once more, to replace him at the end of the season.

This time the speculation over Grant's future was sparked by comments from the Israeli's close friend - Portsmouth player Richard Hughes.

Hughes claimed that Grant would be happy to move aside and let Rijkaard takeover even though he has guided Chelsea to the final of the Champions League and to the brink of winning the domestic league crown.

Hughes insisted: "This will take place with Avram's blessing. He is a modest guy who does not particularly like being in the limelight.

"He'd be happy to revert to the role where he acts as a link between the coaching staff and the board.

"He is not in it for personal glory and could go about his business outside of the limelight."

Hughes became close friends with Grant while he was director of football at Pompey and believes the Israeli will move upstairs even if he completes an historic double. Rijkaard is set to quit the Nou Camp at the end of this campaign having lost the title to Real Madrid. But despite the speculation, Chelsea continue to insist that Grant will remain in charge of the side next season.

Meanwhile, England left-back Ashley Cole, rested for their win over Newcastle on Monday, believes Bolton will not make it easy for them.

"Bolton will be coming to the Bridge wanting to win whether they are safe or not, we'll be so focused and determined to beat them," said Cole.

"We have a lot of big players with big hearts and everyone wants to win. We have to win because it would be a killer if Manchester United got a draw and we didn't get a result."