GARETH BARRY – OPPORTUNITY MISSED?

Early June is usually the time where transfer rumours and conjecture dominate the headlines, rather than any done deals – too many managers seem to be on their holidays for moves to be finalised. So it took me by surprise when the transfer of Gareth Barry to City went from tabloid rumour to done in the space of a few hours.

It’s amazing how money can turn a players head isn’t it? I doubt Barry’s agent will have needed his negotiating skills when City brought their offer to the table.

“100k a week? Yeah no problem, do you want a chunky win bonus with that?”

And that was that. The England defender, who spent last summer saying how he wanted to play in the Champions League, has now moved who isn’t even in the Europa League.
It appears that Arsenal made no attempt to lure Barry to the Emirates at the last minute; perhaps looking at City’s newly found financial muscle and realising they couldn’t compete. But I cant help thinking that if we had made a bid, the chance to play in the Champions League straight away could have persuaded him to join us.

After all, he is the type of player we need. He is a solid defensive midfielder who can sweep up in front of the back four and is English to boot so there would be no ‘settling in’ period to speak of. He is also a leader with international experience, something I feel we badly need with so many inexperienced players in the side.

On the flip side £12million for a player with only one-year left on his contract is very steep and typical of City’s outlandish transfer policy. With funds limited at the Emirates I could imagine Wenger’s reaction if he was quoted that figure by Mark Hughes. Barry also seemed more than happy to take City’s money rather than hold out for a Champions League team, which says more about his character than anything – we don’t want mercenaries at Arsenal (we can’t afford them at any rate!)

However even if we buy one player this summer it should be someone in Barry’s mould. And If by August Wenger hasn’t plucked from obscurity that tough tackling, ball winning water-carrier we have all been crying out for, I wonder whether we will look at Gareth Barry and see it as an opportunity missed?

Article written by Tom Mallows.