IS ONE of the summer's longest transfer sagas coming to an end at last?

According to reports, Liverpool and Aston Villa have finally come to an agreement for the transfer fee of Gareth Barry.

It is reported that the clubs have settled on a price of ?17.5 million ($47m) plus Reds full-back Steve Finnan moving to Villa Park.

Liverpool have been pursuing the England international since the end of last season, having had four offers of ?10m and above turned down.

Now that the Reds have wrapped up a deal for Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane, they have now turned their attention back to Barry and could be closing in on their second major swoop.

NEW DEAL

Reports last weekend suggested that Liverpool had dropped their interest and there was even talk this week that he could be offered a new deal to stay at Villa.

However, Barry's uncertain future seems to be coming to a resolution after Liverpool finally matched Villa's valuation.

The purchase of Barry would take Liverpool's spending this week to nearly ?40m after they splashed out ?20.3m on Keane on Monday.

Although Liverpool do need to sell to buy Barry, they have offers on the table for both Jermaine Pennant and Yossi Benayoun while they are hopeful of selling Andriy Voronin, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.

Wire Services