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Manchester City target James Milner to hold talks with Aston Villa over future
England international set for discussions with O'Neill…
26 Jul 2010 12:02:00
By Danny Hart
Aston Villa midfielder James Milner will hold talks with manager Martin O’Neill to discuss his future.
The 24-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, returned to training on Monday after being given an extended break following England’s World Cup exit.
O’Neill revealed last week that Milner requested a transfer before he went to South Africa following Manchester City's bid of around £20 million, but the player is reportedly ‘deeply upset’ with his manager’s claims.
The former Celtic boss also revealed that the club would allow Milner to leave if Manchester City could meet their valuation.
"I had a conversation with James before the World Cup and he intimated that he'd like to go," O'Neill told Sky Sports News last week.
"City made an offer but it did not meet our valuation. That may well be resolved and if that's the case, fine.
"I think James' agent has told our chief executive he wouldn't be signing a new contract and that puts a different slant on things.
"The rest is pretty well straightforward. If a fee is agreed, a player can leave."
City are yet to return with a second bid for Milner, despite suggestions that they would put in a £24m offer - a fee that may still not be enough to prise the midfielder away from Villa, who are believed to be asking for £30m.
Despite their wealth, City will not pay over the odds for the England international, which could lead to a cash-plus-player deal, with Stephen Ireland used as bait for the move to go through.
Aston Villa head to the Algarve on Wednesday to continue their pre-season preparations; whether James Milner will be included in the squad remains to be seen.
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The 24-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, returned to training on Monday after being given an extended break following England’s World Cup exit.
O’Neill revealed last week that Milner requested a transfer before he went to South Africa following Manchester City's bid of around £20 million, but the player is reportedly ‘deeply upset’ with his manager’s claims.
The former Celtic boss also revealed that the club would allow Milner to leave if Manchester City could meet their valuation.
"I had a conversation with James before the World Cup and he intimated that he'd like to go," O'Neill told Sky Sports News last week.
"City made an offer but it did not meet our valuation. That may well be resolved and if that's the case, fine.
"I think James' agent has told our chief executive he wouldn't be signing a new contract and that puts a different slant on things.
"The rest is pretty well straightforward. If a fee is agreed, a player can leave."
City are yet to return with a second bid for Milner, despite suggestions that they would put in a £24m offer - a fee that may still not be enough to prise the midfielder away from Villa, who are believed to be asking for £30m.
Despite their wealth, City will not pay over the odds for the England international, which could lead to a cash-plus-player deal, with Stephen Ireland used as bait for the move to go through.
Aston Villa head to the Algarve on Wednesday to continue their pre-season preparations; whether James Milner will be included in the squad remains to be seen.
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