LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering a last ditch bid to snatch Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

Liverpool have had several offers for Barry rejected since the end of last season as Villa boss Martin O'Neill holds out for 18 million pounds (22.6 million euros).

Barry has been banned from Villa's training ground after criticising O'Neill's hardline stance, but the England midfielder could now have the chance to join Arsenal instead.

O'Neill admitted the Gunners have spoken to his assistant Steve Walford to declare an interest in the Villa captain.

"Myself and (first-team coach) Steve Walford both know Arsene Wenger's assistant Pat Rice," O'Neill told The Sun.

"He phoned Steve to ask how the Liverpool thing had gone and said that they might show an interest.

"At the end of the conversation Arsenal said 'that's fine' and that they'll let us know."