Now Chelsea After Gareth Barry?

Just as England star Gareth Barry appears to be getting back to his best in an Aston Villa shirt, reports of another mega bid for his services have surfaced.

Liverpool's pursuit of Barry was one of the many high-profile transfer sagas of the summer past and one that left a bitter taste in many mouths.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill fought tooth and nail to fight off the advances of Reds manager Rafael Benitez, eager to show Liverpool that his side were not a feeder for the established big four.

The relationship between Barry and MON subsequently deteriorated and the midfielder was stripped of the captain's armband. Benitez himself was left dazed and confused, the Spaniard not used to being rebuffed.

However, Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari thinks he can take on fiesty O'Neill in January, according to reports.

The Brazilian boss is ready to bring in the New Year with a £17m bid as he looks to bring more of England's elite talent to Stamford Bridge.

Hurting after Sunday's home loss at the hands of the Reds, Scolari wants to flex his transfer market muscles as the title race starts to gather momentum.

Hinting at imminent activity, Scolari told Sky Sports: "The players I have at the moment are good, but I want more English players in my team in order to win in England."

Thus, Barry could soon be linking up with Frank Lampard and not Steven Gerrard as previously seemed inevitable.

Liam Black, Goal.com