Top-flight duo may now make a move for Englishman this summer.
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North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are both said to currently be keeping close tabs on Gareth Barry’s situation at Manchester City after the experienced midfield player revealed that he has still to be offered a new deal to remain in the north west, reports the Sunday Mirror.
The England international has been at Eastlands for the past four seasons now, having originally arrived at the mega-rich Premier League club from Aston Villa on a five-year contract in June 2009 in a deal that cost £12 million.
And under previous City head coach Roberto Mancini, the 32-year-old was a regular in the first team, operating as one of the club’s two holding midfield players and featuring in 175 matches in total in that time, scoring eight goals in the process, including six strikes in his 132 Premier League outings for the club.
However, with Barry’s current contract at City set to expire on June 30 2014 and there still to have been any contact between the club and his representatives about extending his contract beyond next summer, it appears as though this will be the defensive midfield player’s final season in the north west.
“It’s just a case of wait and see, as far as a new contract is concerned,” said Barry.
“I haven’t heard anything about a new deal from the club, so it looks as though my contract will run out next summer and I’ll have to take it from there.
“The manager [Manuel Pellegrini] has spoken to me. He told me that he sees a place for me in his squad as he wants two quality players in every position.
“I’ve got to admit that, with Yaya Toure, Javi Garcia and now Fernandinho in the squad, it’s going to be tough for anyone to nail down a position in central midfield. I’m a bit disappointed that there’s been no offer, but I haven’t got myself too down about it.”