Former Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor believes Gareth Barry is talking to Manchester City because they will challenge to break into the Premier League's top four next season. Villa confirmed earlier today that the 28-year-old England midfielder had opened talks with City, who are owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, over a summer switch to Eastlands.

And Taylor believes City's ambition, not just their financial clout, is what has attracted Barry's interest. "He has to believe that Manchester City will be signing the quality of player that will give them the best possibility of Champions League football the season after next," he told Setanta Sports News.

"I'm not suggesting Mark Hughes is going to be absolutely crazy in the salaries the club pay people, but the amount of money has to be a factor. I think Barry's honest enough to admit that."

There's nothing more important than playing first-team football in a World Cup year. I think he would be at Manchester City, but I'm not so certain that would be the case at Liverpool.
Graham Taylor outlines one of the benefits of Gareth Barry joining Manchester City over Liverpool

Barry, whose contract at Villa Park expires at the end of next season, was heavily linked with a transfer to Liverpool 12 months ago. However, the move did not materialise due to the Reds' failure to meet Villa's asking price.

The player stayed and helped Villa finish the 2008/09 campaign sixth in the league and clinch a place in next term's UEFA Europa League, but Taylor thinks Villa would be better off cashing in now than waiting until his contract expires.

"In all fairness to Martin O'Neill and Gareth, they both knew this situation would arise when they agreed that he would not join Liverpool last season. It's far better that it takes place, from Villa's point of view, this summer than to let his contract run out.

"He'll be aware that there's nothing more important than playing first-team football in a World Cup year. At Aston Villa it's almost certain that he would be a regular. I think he would be at Manchester City, but I'm not so certain that would be the case at Liverpool."