Post by stacie on Aug 16, 2005 22:58:07 GMT
Milan Baros is ready to 'say goodbye' to Liverpool with a move to Aston Villa looking more likely by the day.
Baros: On way out of Anfield
The Czech Republic striker is preparing for his country's friendly against Sweden tomorrow and accepts his days with the European Champions are numbered.
Villa have so far failed to match Rafael Benitez's £7million asking price for the 23-year-old but Baros is keen to link up with compatriot and former Anfield team-mate Patrik Berger, who joined David O'Leary's side from Portsmouth in the summer.
Baros said: 'It would be better if I leave Liverpool. I love the club very much, it has wonderful fans and a super stadium. But the time comes to say goodbye and go somewhere else.
'Even if I do what I can, it will not help me get into the starting line-up. So it would be better to leave.'
He admitted telephoning Berger to sound him out about the move to Villa Park, adding: 'He said it is a club of very high quality, but he did not give me any advice. He left the decision to me.'
The striker also denied claims earlier talks with the midlands club stalled due to his wage demands and he revealed Villa were willing to pay him even more than he asked for.
He said: 'We agreed to this at the first meeting. I told them my idea about the amount and they increased it.'
Baros has also been linked with moves to Lyon and Valencia but he had mixed views on the two destinations, insisting he had no intention of linking up with former Anfield boss Gerard Houllier at the Stade Gerland while admitting he would have joined Valencia had the move not broken down.
He said: 'I have nothing against the French league, it is certainly of a very high quality, but I consider the leagues in England and Spain to be the best ones.'
On Valencia he added: 'I agreed the transfer there, then the management was changed and everything was gone.'
Baros said his £7million price tag had put off potential suitors Schalke and confirmed Liverpool had been holding out for the same amount of money they paid Southampton for new signing Peter Crouch.
'It is certainly a lot of money,' he said. 'Schalke could not afford it. Liverpool paid £7m for Crouch, so they want the money back. But this has nothing to do with me.'
Benitez is reportedly willing to accept a reduced offer of £6.5m and Baros is hoping the move can be agreed within the next few days.
He added: 'Maybe this week when I return to England after the national team game. Then something will happen hopefully.'
Baros, who was considered one of the most promising young strikers in Europe when Houllier paid Banik Ostrava £3.6million for him in 2001, has failed to establish himself as a regular starter at Anfield.
im so gutted about this!
Baros: On way out of Anfield
The Czech Republic striker is preparing for his country's friendly against Sweden tomorrow and accepts his days with the European Champions are numbered.
Villa have so far failed to match Rafael Benitez's £7million asking price for the 23-year-old but Baros is keen to link up with compatriot and former Anfield team-mate Patrik Berger, who joined David O'Leary's side from Portsmouth in the summer.
Baros said: 'It would be better if I leave Liverpool. I love the club very much, it has wonderful fans and a super stadium. But the time comes to say goodbye and go somewhere else.
'Even if I do what I can, it will not help me get into the starting line-up. So it would be better to leave.'
He admitted telephoning Berger to sound him out about the move to Villa Park, adding: 'He said it is a club of very high quality, but he did not give me any advice. He left the decision to me.'
The striker also denied claims earlier talks with the midlands club stalled due to his wage demands and he revealed Villa were willing to pay him even more than he asked for.
He said: 'We agreed to this at the first meeting. I told them my idea about the amount and they increased it.'
Baros has also been linked with moves to Lyon and Valencia but he had mixed views on the two destinations, insisting he had no intention of linking up with former Anfield boss Gerard Houllier at the Stade Gerland while admitting he would have joined Valencia had the move not broken down.
He said: 'I have nothing against the French league, it is certainly of a very high quality, but I consider the leagues in England and Spain to be the best ones.'
On Valencia he added: 'I agreed the transfer there, then the management was changed and everything was gone.'
Baros said his £7million price tag had put off potential suitors Schalke and confirmed Liverpool had been holding out for the same amount of money they paid Southampton for new signing Peter Crouch.
'It is certainly a lot of money,' he said. 'Schalke could not afford it. Liverpool paid £7m for Crouch, so they want the money back. But this has nothing to do with me.'
Benitez is reportedly willing to accept a reduced offer of £6.5m and Baros is hoping the move can be agreed within the next few days.
He added: 'Maybe this week when I return to England after the national team game. Then something will happen hopefully.'
Baros, who was considered one of the most promising young strikers in Europe when Houllier paid Banik Ostrava £3.6million for him in 2001, has failed to establish himself as a regular starter at Anfield.
im so gutted about this!
