Football Corner

Liverpool have today made a bid believed to be worth £10 million in total for Aston Villa and England midfielder Gareth Barry.

The Villa captain has been a linked with a move to the Reds for some time now and it would appear now that their interest is indeed concrete.

It has also been speculated in recent days that Liverpool will offer a few players for the 27-year old and that may well be part of the offer that sees Barry move to Anfield.

Barry is a terrific player and it doesn't surprise me one bit to see the likes of Liverpool interested in him.

I feel he would be capable of playing Champions League football and I do think Liverpool would be getting a player that has the capabilities to strike a devastating partnership with Gerrard in the centre of Liverpool's midfield.

Arsenal midfielders Alexander Hleb and Matthieu Flamini are said to be ready to leave the club in the summer for the Serie A. (Daily Star) (Daily Mail)

Hleb, 27, has today been linked with a move to Inter Milan who are said to be very keen to bring the Belarus international to the San Siro in the summer.

Hleb has also been linked with moves to Barcelona in previous months but Inter are said to be favourites now. Meanwhile, it looks increasingly likely today that Matthieu Flamini will indeed be joining AC milan.

The French defensive midfielder has been linked with AC for several months but today it has been suggested that he has informed his team mates of his decision and will join the Serie A giants in the summer.

Obviously this isn't the news Arsenal fans wanted to hear. Both Hleb and Flamini have been terrific for the Gunners this season and with the two of them possibly leaving that could leave other top players to leave the Emirates.

Arsenal are preparing for life without Matthieu Flamini after it was reported on Monday that he is close to joining AC Milan.

The North London club are interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson. (The Times)

Johnson, 23, is widely regarded as one of England best young midfielders and several clubs including Liverpool have also been linked with the player. City manager Sven Goran Eriksson recently said he would do everything he can to keep Johnson at the club.

As a City fan myself I would be devastated if Johnson leaves because I feel he is a tremendous talent that will only get better with age. His ability to pass the ball is phenomenal and it comes as no surprise to me to see a top side like Arsenal interested.

Aston Villa and Portsmouth are preparing summer bids for Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda who has been told he has no future at White Hart Lane. (Daily Mirror)

The former Wigan Athletic player has had an indifferent spell at Spurs but just recently it has taken a huge downturn. He has never really seen eye to eye with Spurs boss Juande Ramos and he is set to leave the club in the summer.

Villa were said to be close to signing Chimbonda in January, but for whatever reason he didn't move to the Midlands outfit. Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is said to be a keen admirer of the 29-year old's and is also interested in signing him.

I personally think Chimbonda should leave Spurs as soon as possible and restart his career at either of the two clubs in question. He has the capabilities to be a terrific defender but unfortunately he never really displayed his best form at Spurs.