In fact, Patrik Berger has said that the midfielder would ‘be mad’ to pass up the opportunity to sign on at Anfield, according to The Sun. Despite Rafael Benitez’s best efforts to try and keep schtum about Liverpool’s £10million bid for the England international last week, it’s clear that the Reds are keen to sign Gareth Barry as they continue to build a title-challenging squad on Merseyside.

The Czech midfielder, 34, said: “If I was in Gareth’s position I would go there tomorrow.

“It is the opportunity of a lifetime — Liverpool don’t come after you every year.

“He is the heart of our team and it would be a massive challenge for him.

“I’m not surprised they want to sign him. He has had a fantastic season and was our main player from the beginning to the end.”

Surely this is a done deal? After all, the player himself has talked about furthering his ambitions and being selfish when it comes to next career steps. Martin O’Neill has talked about his uncertainty of keeping his captain and Liverpool are super-keen. Will Arsene Wenger also start sniffing around now that it’s clear that Mathieu Flamini is jumping ship?

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