Martin O'Neill has confirmed that Gareth Barry will not return to the club for pre-season training after Aston Villa disciplined their unsettled captain for giving an "unauthorised" newspaper interview.

The increasingly acrimonious war of words that has surrounded the ongoing saga shows no signs of abating after O'Neill said his unsettled captain would be fined after criticising his manager on Sunday.

Earlier today Liverpool denied reports they had made a £15 million "take it or leave it" offer for the player and O'Neill confirmed there had been no new developments.

"There's no truth in this morning's reports and the situation remains the same," O'Neill said. "Gareth will not be returning to training tomorrow and he has been disciplined after giving an unauthorised interview to the News of the World."

In the interview Barry stated his clear desire to leave Villa Park adding that he was disappointed by O'Neill's attempts to persuade him to stay.

"My mind’s made up, I want to join Liverpool," he said. "There’s no going back, it’s time for me to move on. I’m desperate to play Champions League football and that’s why I have to leave Villa.

“I hope the Villa fans understand. I have given my all for the club for 10 years and I’m only leaving because now I need to test myself at the very highest level. And I can honestly say if Villa were in the Champions League I wouldn’t even consider leaving this great club.”

“It’s seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer’s found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008, he hasn’t found the time to speak to me. But Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has shown how much he wants me at Anfield.

"But have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park not Anfield? Not a thing.”

Elsewhere, Emiliano Insua, the Argentina defender, has signed a new three-year contract with Liverpool.