It is today being reported by Manchester Evening News that Everton key man Gareth Barry may not be staying with the Blues next summer as is so widely expected. It is thought that Manchester City’s new franchise club, New York City FC, are interested in taking on the central midfielder for their new project which begins at the 2015 season, in 13 months time.
Barry was initially deemed as an underwhelming signing by Evertonians, however has proved those doubters wrong in becoming an integral member to the side, alongside James McCarthy. There is the chance that the Englishman has an outside chance for the world cup, with Martinez claiming he’s the best player in the country in the holding position and also the options England have alongside Gerrard are all out of form, such as Wilshere, Cleverley and Carrick.
Joining Everton in the summer was almost a certainty to Evertonians, Martinez and Barry himself, however with the New York boss Jason Kreis spending a 6 month period in England and casting his eye over some players that his team will need, it looks like Barry could be one of the first targets. It is likely that with City’s relationship with Barry and their financial backing with New York, this deal could be very possible as they could match his £110,000 week contract. This would have ultimately have been Everton’s stumbling block however it seemed until now that this could be negotiated to a respectable level.
The decision for Gareth now is to either effectively write his football career off in the hope to make some final ‘dollar’ in his last few years or to stay at Goodison Park, on less wages, and maintain his performance and happiness playing football. Martinez is still confident that the deal will be done, responding to Arsenal links last month he said that Barry is an honest man who will give his word and if he is happy, he’ll stay.
I think he’ll stay in the end.You are a long time out of the game as age catches up,but surely just playing for cash loses some of it’s allure when you have secured your future already. The standard of the game is poor in the USA,so GB could still play a couple of Premier League seasons before shuffling off to Buffalo,or wherever. Still he owes us nothing and whatever he decides I for one wish him luck.
What a load of rubbish,barry is a free agent in the summer and it his decision only where he goes,its nothing to do with man city.