Benitez will have 64 million pounds to battle Man Utd

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez will have a 64 million pounds war chest to battle Manchester United and top of his summer agenda is to finally tie up an eight million pounds deal to bring Gareth Barry to Anfield when the season ends.

He will then off-load up to 11 squad players to cover the Barry deal and to generate more funds to compete in the transfer market.

With Xabi Alonso earmarked for an 18 million pounds switch to Manchester City, it leaves the way open for Benitez to keep his promise to Barry.

The Aston Villa and England star will tell his current manager Martin O'Neill to honour his pledge to sell him to Liverpool before the end of this month, News of the World reports.

Barry has told friends he is determined to move to Merseyside after Villa's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

When a deal collapsed last season, Benitez assured Barry that he would be back for him and he is keeping his promise. And Benitez wants Barry signed quickly to avoid the wrangles of last summer.

Barry has just a year left on his current deal and also feels Villa owe him the chance to move on after he committed to a final season in the Midlands.

Villa boss O'Neill has already conceded he is powerless to stop Barry leaving this time - although the fee could yet prove a sticking point in talks.