Premier League Rumour Mill: Villa tell Chelsea that Barry's not for sale at any price

Staying put: Gareth Barry
13 April 2012

Chelsea have been told that Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry is not for sale at any price. He has been identified as a January transfer target and the Blues want him to slot into their midfield alongside fellow England international Frank Lampard.

But Villa boss Martin O'Neill will not allow his prize asset to leave and he has the full backing of owner Randy Lerner, who will be making funds available to his manager to strengthen a squad which is short of numbers.

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One player who could be leaving the Midlands club, however, is striker Shaun Maloney as Celtic remain interested in taking him back to Parkhead.

The Glasgow giants are in the hunt for a frontman to replace Kenny Miller, who moved south of the border to Derby at the start of the season and Maloney will settle easily into Gordon Strachan's plans as he is already familiar with live with the Bhoys.

Thomas Sorensen also appears to be heading for the exit as O'Neill wants to turn Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson's loan move into a permanent switch for £10m.

Portsmouth and Manchester City are both keen to sign £8m-rated Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and the former Chelsea striker will return to the Premiership after discovering he has no future at the Nou Camp.

Martin Allen is favourite to become Norwich's new manager even though Plymouth Argyle boss Ian Holloway is a contender for the job.

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has a short-list of candidates to succeed former boss Gary Megson following his move to Bolton last week and it includes ex-Everton chief Joe Royle.

Rumour of the day: Gareth Southgate is under pressure at Middlesbrough with former Wigan boss Paul Jewell being lined up as his replacement.

No chance: West Ham's attempt to sign Everton striker Andy Johnson in the January transfer window is doomed to failure as he wants a new contract at Goodison Park.

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