If we’ve learned anything today it’s that when AVFC does a “Webflash” for a seemingly developing transfer story then it’s actually as good as done.  Usually that’s obvious as it actually is done when they finally break the news, but in this case Gareth Barry’s transfer to Manchester City was completed inside a day.  Don’t you wish they could always be worked out so quickly?!?  Seriously.  I woke up to news that Barry “was in talks” with Citeh and he’s their player before my day is done.

Now, as you’ll no doubt be fully aware, Manchester City aren’t actually playing Champions League football next season.  In fact, they’re not in any European competition.  They might qualify for the 2010/11 season, they might not.

There were rumours that Arsenal might be interested in Barry this summer and there were also rumours that Liverpool may well come back for him. Villa had also offered the player a new contract or the option of running down his current deal and leaving next year for free. Barry & his agent obviously know lots of things that we don’t, but on the face of it, wouldn’t you say that Gareth’s jumped at this offer before giving anything else a chance to develop?? Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy that this summer will not be a repeat of the last in this respect, but from where I stand it looks like either they knew that Arsenal & Liverpool weren’t going to come knocking or that the wages Citeh offered were too delicious to turn down.

I’ve got images running through my head of some suits from Citeh turning up at the England training ground this morning unannounced and then opening a brief case to show Barry the contents causing him to literally soil his shorts and stutter “w-w-w-where do I s-s-sign??”. What Champions League, eh Gazza??

Anyway, Gareth Barry is no longer an Aston Villa player and the club is reported to have received £12million in exchange for his services. While I recognise, along with the majority of the footballing world, that Gareth Barry is a quality player, he clearly wanted out and had become a major distraction for all concerned. For this reason alone I’m glad that he has gone and very glad indeed that the deal was conducted so swiftly. Last summer’s debacle killed any hopes for retaining any fond memories. Close the door on the way out, Gareth. Kthxbai.

The only downside I see coming from this is enduring the endless debate about a replacement, especially since we seem fairly certain that our summer funds have just been augmented with 12 big ones. But wait, not so fast, haven’t we already got a pair of central midfielders who have struggled to get some playing time this season?? Sidwell and Reo-Coker might not be your cup of tea, but I think they’re both very capable of playing a role in the middle.

Actually, I think I’ll leave that post for another time.