LONDON, May 3: Aston Villa coach Martin O’Neill said on Friday that Liverpool had made an enquiry about signing Villa club captain Gareth Barry.

The 27-year-old England midfielder has been with Villa since joining as a trainee and has played almost 400 matches for the club. He has also played 18 times for England.

A clearly disappointed O’Neill told the club’s website that Liverpool had made contact, but said he was determined to keep the player at Villa Park.

“We’re trying to build a side here and we’re not a feeder club. Gareth Barry still has two years of his contract left to run and from my two years experience of working with him he’s not one who would be wanting to break contracts lightly.

“Liverpool haven’t made a straight cash offer. They’ve made an offer involving a mishmash of nameless player exchanges.

“I’m particularly disappointed to hear that business is being conducted in public and I just want to be clear on this: We’re trying to build a side here and we’re not a feeder club.”—Reuters