Valletta hope to keep Barry as contract talks underway Published on: 08-01-2015
Valletta have initiated talks with Gambian midfielder Hamza Barry over a new contract.Barry has been in scintillating form since rejoining the champions after his proposed move to Tunisian club Esperance fell through last summer. With Barry’s two-year deal running out at the end of the season, Valletta, led by president Victor Sciriha, are keen to hold on to the versatile midfielder who turned 20 in October.
Sources have told Times of Malta that the extension of Barry’s contract is top of Valletta’s priority list and preliminary talks between the two parties have already taken place.After signing for Valletta in the summer of 2013, Barry quickly forged a reputation as one of the most talented foreigners in the BOV Premier League. His performances this season suggest that the Gambia international has taken his game to another level.
It is understood that Barry has settled nicely in Malta and is happy at Valletta.Given a free role on the wing by coach Ivan Zammit, Barry is also demonstrating his scoring prowess,netting eight goals in the Premier League, including a double in Valletta’s 3-2 comeback win over Qormi last Saturday.
Valletta are also expected to open contract discussions with midfielder and captain Ryan Fenech and defender Jonathan Caruana as their current deals expire at the end of the season.
After releasing all foreign players they signed last summer, namely Raphael Kooh Sohna, Hugo Faria,Alex Terra and Adrian Zahra, the champions are looking to recruit new overseas players during this month’s transfer window.
Italian goalkeeper Pietro Marino arrived in Malta yesterday after agreeing to rejoin the Citizens.Coach Zammit is currently assessing the qualities of young English striker David Moli, who was part of the Liverpool Academy, and an Italian midfielder.
An Argentine striker is expected to join Valletta for a short trial in the coming days.
Source - Times of Malta
