Reds make first move for Barry May 02 2008
Liverpool are understood to have launched their bid to sign Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry by tabling an initial £10million offer.
The Reds are believed to have formally contacted their Premier League rivals on Thursday with their bid for the England international.
There has been speculation for the past fortnight that the 27-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of Rafael Benitez's major summer transfer targets.
It remains to be seen whether Villa manager Martin O'Neill will accept the bid for his skipper who has two years to run of his current contract.
But Benitez wants Barry to form a partnership with his England colleague and close friend Steven Gerrard.
Barry, who celebrates the 10th anniversary of his Villans debut next week, has made no secret of his desire to play UEFA Champions League football.
He is on more than £40,000 a week at Villa Park and could come close to doubling that if he moved to Anfield or Chelsea who have also been linked with the player.
Barry has already expressed a desire to hold talks with O'Neill to assess what his transfer plans are for the 2008/09 campaign.
Villa are challenging strongly for a UEFA Cup spot but Barry wants to see whether the midlands club are in a position to move to the next level.