Lambert wants former ace to guide young stars.
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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is reportedly running the rule over bringing former club stalwart Gareth Barry back to the Midlands as a guide for the club’s younger stars, according to the Mirror.
The England international is now entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad and has apparently been told that he can leave by new boss Manuel Pellegrini as he doesn’t fit into his future plans.
City are already well stocked in the midfield department with Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell and James Milner already there, and that’s not including new signings Fernandinho and Jesus Navas either, meaning competition for places is fierce.
Barry made over 400 appearances for Villa between 1998 and his £12m move to Manchester in 2009, and is prepared to see out his £100,000 a week contract at City, but does not want to spend the season on the fringes of the squad.
Lambert is thought to be considering making an exception in his transfer policy of signing young and hungry players to bring the former Villa hero back to the club to act as a wiser older head, though he will face competition in the shape of Cardiff City and Stoke who both want to take the pass master off of City’s hands.