It's NOT a replacement for Barry - MON stated he wanted him before the Barry saga even started - at 5.5m i think it's a bit pricey as he has played very little - but thats what he would of cost if he was still at Reading if not more to be honest

We needed strenghening as we have a tiny squad - so i welcome him with opening arms - played excellent for Reading under a good gaffer in Coppell - now he has the chance to work under an even better one in O'Neill - i'm sure after a couple of seasons under MON the fee we pay will double in value and the 5.5m will seem pretty cheap

As for the Barry saga - i'm totally pi$$ed off with it now - it's so boring - it's a case of Liverpool wantimg a player they can't have unless they meet our 20m tag - it's simple really Barry is contracted to us with 24 months to run - Liverpool have to find the money to take him away from that - to be honest i don't even think Liverpool have that kind of cash so i don't know why they are bothering to be honest - MON is playing the aces in this and Rafa and Liverpool hate it - IMO MON knows Barry is'nt worth the 20m but knows the deal - the 12m offered is a pi$$ take though - then again if the likes of Hargreaves and Carrick are worth the 20m mark then so is Barry - the thing is Liverpool think they can have anybody they want and have gone by this with no respect at all - tapping him as soon as their season ended even know we still had something to go for - but they forget that when the shoe is on the other foot they start crying wolf - I.E the Torres offer from Chelsea - Rafa went mad coming out saying Chelsea were out of order and shouldn't be talking about their players who are contracted - pot and kettle - fcuk off Rafa lolol