Premiership transfer news: Unsettled midfielder Gareth Barry will return to training with Aston Villa tomorrow. The England international has been excluded from the club's pre-season plans after he criticised manager Martin O'Neill's handling of his proposed move to Liverpool.
Villa and the Merseyside outfit have been discussing the future of Barry since the end of last season, but have so far been unable to agree on a fee.
The Reds have seen a number of offers rejected by their Premier League rivals, who are believed to be holding out for €23million.
O'Neill hinted this morning that Arsenal could enter the race for Barry's services, while the possibility remains that he may still be at Villa Park next season.
With Barry due to return to training, he could now be involved in the club's Intertoto Cup clash away to Danish side Odense on Saturday.
A statement on the club's official website read: "The club can confirm that Gareth Barry will be back in training at Bodymoor Heath tomorrow (Wednesday)."
Bridge extends Chelsea contract
Chelsea full-back Wayne Bridge has signed a new four-year contract. The England international joined the Blues in 2003 from Southampton and has made 130 appearances for the club.
Though he is considered as back-up to Ashley Cole on the left, Bridge insists he is happy to stay with Chelsea.
"I'm just happy, I love it here, all the lads, staff, everything, so I'm happy to be here, hopefully for the four years," Bridge told Chelsea TV.
Bridge had been linked with a move to Portsmouth, but new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is pleased to hang on to the 27-year-old.
Scolari said: "I am very pleased for Wayne that he has committed his future to Chelsea. I have been here only a few days, but I have seen that he is one of the best professionals at the club. I very much like his playing style."
Chief executive Peter Kenyon added: "We are delighted that Wayne has committed himself to Chelsea for the next four years.
"He is a key member of our squad and is relishing the challenge of the arrival of a new manager. We are fortunate at Chelsea that we have the two best left-backs in England and it is a source of pride for us.
"Wayne's new deal also underlines the club's commitment to maintaining a strong English core to our squad."
Galliani dismisses City threat
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani doubts Ronaldinho will join Manchester City despite their €32million bid for the Brazilian.
Milan have offered less than half that figure for the Barcelona forward - and wages of €125,000 less a week - but Ronaldinho is still expected to demand a move to Italy rather than Manchester.
"If Barca does not see our offer to be adequate? We leave for Milan, but I doubt that Ronaldinho will go to play at (Manchester) City," said Galliani.
Ronaldinho had a meeting with Barca boss Pep Guardiola on Monday and apparently told him that he would be gone by Friday.
But that will depend on Barcelona accepting Milan's lower offer as they cannot force him to join City.
Ince reveals Bentley bid
New Blackburn boss Paul Ince has admitted that Aston Villa have bid for David Bentley.
"As for the David Bentley situation, that will not go away, only time will tell whether he is here in August. We have had an offer from Aston Villa, but I do not want him to go," Ince said last night.
He insisted he had heard nothing from Tottenham regarding Bentley, and made it plain that he did not want former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and did not want to sell veteran keeper Brad Friedel.
"When I came to Blackburn, I said I wanted to keep my best players, and Brad Friedel comes into that category. He is one of the best keepers in the Premier League.
"There is no interest from me in Paul Robinson. As far as I am concerned, I want to keep Brad. I do not want to sell Brad, so why should I want Paul Robinson?"
Ince, however, is interested in signing Ecuador's Segundo Castillo, according to the Red Star Belgrade midfielder.
The player has said he is heading for Ewood Park on a reported three-year deal for a fee of €7.5million euros.
"This is a very interesting step for my career because I will have the chance to be near the big teams," said the 26-year-old, wasting no time in endearing himself to the Rovers faithful.
"I am very happy I am going to play in the Premier League and what makes me very happy as well is that I have been told that the coach of Blackburn (Paul Ince) has insisted on signing me, and that gives me confidence.
"Next week I will be travelling to England. I hope to play well and open even more doors to more players of my country."
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