Manchester City will net a tidy sum if Gareth Barry signs for Everton – despite the midfielder having been released by Manuel Pellegrini.
Manchester City are set to pocket a £2 million bonus windfall as Gareth Barry’s permanent move to Everton edges closer, according to the Mail, despite the former Aston Villa midfielder having been released by the club.
Despite Barry nominally being available on a free transfer as he is no longer under contract at the City of Manchester stadium, his loan move to Everton last season is believed to have included a clause that guarantees payments for City if Barry moves to Goodison Park on a permanent basis.
The payments are believed to be based around the length of Barry’s potential contract at Everton, with a three-year deal at Goodison Park set to earn the club £2m – whilst just a one-year deal for Barry would net them a cool £1m.
Barry was a fine addition to the Everton midfield by Roberto Martinez last season and the Toffees are likely to feel that it is worth the fee payable to City, but it is likely to stick in the throat somewhat that they are shelling for a player available to anyone else on a free transfer.
The former England international joined City from Aston Villa and went on to pick up a Premier League winners’ medal as he helped to navigate the club’s transition from mid-table alsorans to genuine contenders.
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