Barry the key to City spending spree

MARK HUGHES is convinced the early arrival of Gareth Barry helped trigger Manchester City’s £120 million (€131m) summer spending spree.

Barry concluded negotiations with City over a £12m (€13.1m) move from Aston Villa during an England World Cup double-header at the end of last season.

Having been denied a “dream” move to Liverpool 12 months earlier, Barry – who returns to Villa for the first time tonight – was in no mood to hang around again, despite City’s lack of Champions League credentials.