Everton loanee Gareth Barry has revealed that Arsenal expressed an interest in signing him before he left Manchester City to move to Goodison Park.
The Toffees visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to face the Gunners, who Barry claims were among his suitors when City made it clear he was surplus to requirements in the summer.
However, the former England international eventually ended up at Everton for the 2013-2014 season, and he has hinted that he would be open to extending his stay with them beyond the end of the campaign.
Barry, who will be 33 by the beginning of next season, told Everton's official website: "There was a bit of contact with Arsenal and they were interested, but I think they went down the road with [Mathieu] Flamini.
"Personally, it's a really strange situation. In January you can start discussing your future for next season but I think the club made it clear that they would probably like to discuss things at the end of the season and if I put in fantastic performances from here until then, then that puts me in a good position.
"I'm really enjoying it and I'm as excited now as when I signed because I've got a feel for the club, I'm enjoying working under the manager and the coaching staff here, the training is fantastic and the style of play the manager wants us to play is really enjoyable, so I'm really excited for the rest of the season."
Barry has made 11 Toffees appearance in all competitions this term, scoring one goal.
Joe Fish
