Martin O'Neill: Gareth Barry can still join Liverpool

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill said Liverpool had until the Aug. 31 transfer deadline to sign England midfielder Gareth Barry on Saturday, two days after announcing there would be no deal. The Villa captain has been linked with a move for more than two months, but that looked to be over after Liverpool failed to complete negotiations before Wednesday's deadline imposed by Villa. "There will be no deadline and Liverpool have all the time in the world now to sign Gareth Barry," O'Neill said Saturday. "They've got up to the normal window, which is the 31st of this month. "So, it's really up to them, Gareth and his agent to sort it out. I've decided this is the only way forward for us, really." Villa turned down two offers from Liverpool and was rumored to be holding out for US$35.8 million, but Liverpool didn't return with an improved bid and bought Ireland captain Robbie Keane for a similar price on Monday. O'Neill was optimistic that Barry was staying until meeting with the player and his agent and hearing that Liverpool was still keen on a transfer. "Obviously, I was disappointed to hear that," O'Neill said. "Gareth's head is a bit all over the place at the moment and they asked for some more time. "So, I've listened to what they've said and I'll go with it - reluctantly, but I'll go with it