Barry Refuses To Rule Out Summer Departure
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Gareth Barry has admitted to being "flattered" by reports that some of the country's top clubs are keen on his services, but maintains that his mind is firmly on ensuring that Aston Villa have a spot in Europe to look forward to next season.
The Villans' skipper has been increasingly linked with a move to Liverpool or Chelsea, with Reds' manager Rafa Benitez believed to be especially keen on luring the 27-year-old.
"It's certainly flattering to be linked with them [Chelsea and Liverpool], but I'm enjoying my football here," insisted the industrious England midfielder.
"At this moment in time it's just speculation.
"It's something I've dealt with before and I will approach it exactly the same way as I have done in the past, until the manager says something different, or I hear something different.
"My job is on (playing) Birmingham City and helping Aston Villa finish this season. I don't see why else I should be sidetracked at this moment."
Barry, who has two years left on his contract at Villa Park, refused to rule out the possibility of leaving the club that he began his professional career with 10 years ago, however.
"I'll be lying if I sit here today and say I don't think about my own future," he said.
"But as I've always done I'll take it one year at a time and assess things at the end of the season.
"There's so much to play for, for Aston Villa, and that will be my job until we play West Ham away at the end of the season."
Villa boss Martin O'Neill, in the meanwhile, has admitted that losing Barry in the summer would be a massive blow to the club's plans for the future.
"We're going to do everything possible to keep him at the football club," said O'Neill over the club's coveted skipper.
"We're desperate for him to stay because he's a major part of it but I'm not surprised that loads of people are chasing him."