The Gunners set to offer Barry an escape route from the Etihad.
With just a year remaining on his contract at Manchester City, Gareth Barry has emerged as a surprise target for Arsenal this summer, according to the Sun.
Barry’s current deal runs out in 2014 and it is unlikely the midfielder will be offered a new contract at Eastlands, meaning the Gunners could snap the 32-year-old up in a cut-price transfer.
However, the England international would have to lower his £100,000-a-week wage demands, but could be swayed if a move to the Emirates Stadium were a possibility.
The north London club have Champions League football next season making them an attractive prospect for Barry, with manager Arsene Wenger making a holding midfielder a priority signing this summer.
So far Arsenal have been linked with big money moves for both Everton’s Marouane Fellaini and Lars Bender of Bayer Leverkusen, but at a price of around £3.5m the City man would represent the bargain buy.
Wenger could face competition from rivals Tottenham Hotspur for Barry’s signature, although with the added bonus of top European football the Gunners should edge ahead as favourites.
The Englishman has been at the Etihad Stadium for four years following a £12.2m move from Aston Villa in 2009.
Since then the defensive midfielder has won an FA Cup and maiden Premier League title whilst playing 178 matches in all competitions for the Citizens.
Barry has also been a stalwart in the England national team for several years and to date has earned 53 caps for his country since his debut in 2000 and played three games at the 2010 World Cup.
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