Villa Midfielder To Portsmouth?

According to the Mail On Sunday, Gareth Barry is set to move to Portsmouth this week.

The report says that Pompey manager Harry Redknapp expects to seal a £4.5million deal in the next few days for the left-sided midfielder.

Gareth Barry came through the youth system after we attracted him from Brighton, starting as a YTS trainee. He started in midfield but was soon utilised as a left sided defender and some say his best form came when he was on the left side of a back three. In recent seasons Barry has once again moved into midfield saying he didn’t like playing in defence. He made his first team debut at the age of 17 coming on as a sub against Sheffield Wednesday in 1998. He has made over 300 league and cup appearances for Villa scoring 26 goals along the way. He also has 27 England U21 caps and 8 full international caps.

You’ve got to doubt this report surely? With the arrival of Martin O’Neill and an expected takeover to happen in the next few weeks, why would he want to move to Portsmouth?