Finnan set to join Villa

Liverpool hope to finally land Gareth Barry this week by offering Aston Villa Steve Finnan as part of the deal.

Villa have so far resisted all offers for the England international, the latest being £15million which could rise to £17million depending on add ons, and the Reds are now ready to throw in Finnan.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill needs a new right-back following the departure of Olof Mellberg to Juventus, and he rates Republic of Ireland international Finnan highly.

The player is also keen as he is by no means a regular starter at Anfield and would welcome the chance to play regular first-team football with O'Neill at Villa.

Both Liverpool and Villa are keen to end the transfer saga once and for all and sources from both clubs have said a deal is on the verge of being agreed.