by Simon Jones, Mail on Sunday

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Liverpool have drawn a line under the summer's longest-running transfer saga after finalising a £19m deal for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

Fresh from concluding a £20million deal for Spurs striker Robbie Keane, the Anfield club have held further talks with Villa and The Insider understands that they have reached agreement on a £17.5m cash offer plus defender Steve Finnan.

The move is no surprise but the timing is, as Liverpool have still to sell to raise the relevant funds but know they have offers on the table for Jermaine Pennant and Yossi Benayoun.


Further interest has also been expressed in Andriy Voronin, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.


Benitez made public his first bid for Aston Villa midfielder Barry in May and incurred the wrath of Villa boss Martin O'Neill.

Barry then confirmed he wanted to leave and criticised O'Neill for a lack of communication.


That outburst saw the England playmaker fined and banned by the club.


Four bids from the Reds were rejected by the midlands club, who were holding out for £18m, before Arsenal reportedly became involved in the race for the England man.