Milner to City?

[Jürgen4PM]

Manchester City's £20 million bid for James Milner rejected by Aston Villa

By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 7:22AM BST 20 May 2010

Manchester City have launched their expected major spending spree this summer by tabling a £20 million bid with Aston Villa for England midfielder James Milner - but it has been instantly rejected by the midlands club.

City launched their initial bid last night for Milner who is currently in Austria with his country preparing for the forthcoming World Cup finals in South Africa.

Twelve months ago City were successful in prising Gareth Barry away from Villa in a £12m deal and now their attention has turned to Milner.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill would be reluctant to lose the services of Milner, who is due to hold talks regarding a new contract during the summer, and the former Celtic coach wasted no time in turning down City's offer.

A Villa spokesman said: "We have received an offer from Manchester City for James Milner and this has been firmly rejected.

"We plan to sit down with James and his representative after the World Cup to agree a new long-term deal and this remains our position."

The 24-year-old has just enjoyed a successful season in a central midfield role and was recently crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year.

Milner is currently halfway through the four-year contract he signed when joining Villa for a club record £12m from Newcastle in the summer of 2008.

England coach Fabio Capello recently said Milner was "the future" of English football and he has made massive strides under O'Neill and is a near certainty to be part of the final 23 man squad for the World Cup.

Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the player who first burst to prominence as a 16-year-old with Leeds.

Milner's big upturn in fortunes coincided with O'Neill deciding to switch him from a wide right role into the centre of the park midway through last season.

It was an inspired move with Milner helping Villa reach the final of the Carling Cup, the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the top six of the Barclays Premier League.

Villa would be keen to hold on to Milner as they look to push for a Champions League spot next season after a third successive top-six finish.

Club owner Randy Lerner stated only last week in his annual media briefing at Villa Park he was hopeful of the player remaining at Villa.

But there is no doubt Milner has become one of the hottest young properties in English football and his value could soar even higher if he has a successful World Cup.

 

[mark1975]

I'd love us to sign Milner. I wish we'd got him instead of pursuing Barry, he's a much better player.

 

[Foxwold]

There was a lot of hatred of Milner on here, when we were linked to him a few seasons ago. I've always quite liked him as a player.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Foxwold link=topic=40322.msg1106775#msg1106775 date=1274344288]
There was a lot of hatred of Milner on here, when we were linked to him a few seasons ago. I've always quite liked him as a player.
[/quote]

Yep. Industrious, versatile, good technique and goals. And English!

 

[ILD]

No one wanted him at when he went to Villa for 11 million approx. He has vastly improved as a player since then. I like Milner and I think he is a fine player but I wouldn't be shaking in my boots if United or City paid over 20 million for him. I rather United paid over 20 million for Milner than say Higuain.

 

[ILD]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40322.msg1106778#msg1106778 date=1274344518]
[quote author=Foxwold link=topic=40322.msg1106775#msg1106775 date=1274344288]
There was a lot of hatred of Milner on here, when we were linked to him a few seasons ago. I've always quite liked him as a player.
[/quote]

Yep. Industrious, versatile, good technique and goals. And English!
[/quote]

His versatility is incredable. Right Back, either wing, Centre midfield or off the striker. He works hard also, Rafa would love Milner.

 

[Rouge Penguin]

He was always good at the toon. He just wasn't a big enough name for this forum.

 

[Buddha]

Who knows, if Stevie decides to go we might be in for Milner as a youngish replacement.

I'd like to see us going after McCarthy again as one for the future. Offer Wigan 12m or so (a huge profit on his fee a year ago) with the offer to loan him back to them for a season.

 

[gareth_thomas]

20 million??? what the hell are Young and Agbonlahor worth then?

 

[manwithnoname]

[quote author=gareth_thomas link=topic=40322.msg1106845#msg1106845 date=1274354043]
20 million??? what the hell are Young and Agbonlahor worth then?
[/quote]

He's had a better season than both, and credit to O'Neill, who took him from Newcastle when he wasn't really wanted by anyone else (or their fans), and then played him in CM, where he has been superb this year.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=40322.msg1106843#msg1106843 date=1274353508]
Who knows, if Stevie decides to go we might be in for Milner as a youngish replacement.

I'd like to see us going after McCarthy again as one for the future. Offer Wigan 12m or so (a huge profit on his fee a year ago) with the offer to loan him back to them for a season.
[/quote]

loan him back? our squad is paper thin.

 

[manwithnoname]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=40322.msg1106849#msg1106849 date=1274354551]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=40322.msg1106843#msg1106843 date=1274353508]
Who knows, if Stevie decides to go we might be in for Milner as a youngish replacement.

I'd like to see us going after McCarthy again as one for the future. Offer Wigan 12m or so (a huge profit on his fee a year ago) with the offer to loan him back to them for a season.
[/quote]

loan him back? our squad is paper thin.
[/quote]

Swap him for Lucas.

I bet Wigan would love to have a quality Brazil international in their team, especially if he has a good World Cup.

Or maybe we could use Lucas as bait for Milner? Or Danny Guthrie. Or anyone. FUCKING ANYONE AT ALL.

[size=14pt]Fuck it, use the cunt as fishbait. I don't care[/size] [size=14pt] just fucking get him out of....[/size]


Oh, I'm sorry. I think I was raving for a moment.

 

[Hansern]

Utd are rumoured to be putting a whooping 28 mill £ bid on the table..

 

[Buddha]

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=40322.msg1106988#msg1106988 date=1274375524]
Utd are rumoured to be putting a whooping 28 mill £ bid on the table..
[/quote]

It'll probably include 1 or two of their fringe players to make that figure.

 

[Squiggles]

James Milner valued at 28M? That's fucking insane by anyones standards.

 

[manwithnoname]

We valued Aquilani at 20, and Milner is miles better than him

 

[darkstarexodus]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40322.msg1107001#msg1107001 date=1274377691]
We valued Aquilani at 20, and Milner is miles better than him
[/quote]

So you're saying United might be every bit as stupid with money as us. Except their stupidity may pay off.

Milner would be brilliant in United's side, in my opinion. Or in City's. Or, well, anywhere in England. I rated him a couple seasons back but didn't think he'd become THIS good.

 

[manwithnoname]

Well, Ferguson knows there is a giant hole in CM

Carrick and Anderson will be sold, Scholes is 98, Fletcher is a water-carrier. Hargreaves a raspberry

Which is why he wants Milner and Rodwell

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

I cannot see Ginsoak having upwards of £25 million to spend on anything other than wine. If he sells Anderson and Carrick, then they will struggle to compete with even us next year. Lucas anyone?

 

[RolandG]

I read that Ginsoak wants Lasana Diara and will use Anderson in a player plus cash deal for Di Maria.

Milner will end up at Citeh. Doesn't Mancini have something ridiculous like 150 million transfer kitty?

 

[darkstarexodus]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40322.msg1107037#msg1107037 date=1274381313]
Well, Ferguson knows there is a giant hole in CM

Carrick and Anderson will be sold, Scholes is 98, Fletcher is a water-carrier. Hargreaves a raspberry

Which is why he wants Milner and Rodwell
[/quote]

Team of the year Fletcher? I do agree Milner would do well to replace Scholes/Carrick.

 

[Judge Jules]

Fletcher had a good season, but a lot of that was due to the quality ahead of him. He'd have sunk without trace in our squad.

BTW what's the difference between a good vacuum-cleaner and a horny Admiral in the Swiss Navy? One sucks and never fails.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Steven Gerrard nearly sunk without a trace in our squad this season. We sucked. I wouldn't have put anyone in there and expected excellence the way we played.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40322.msg1106846#msg1106846 date=1274354169]
[quote author=gareth_thomas link=topic=40322.msg1106845#msg1106845 date=1274354043]
20 million??? what the hell are Young and Agbonlahor worth then?
[/quote]

... credit to O'Neill, who took him from Newcastle when he wasn't really wanted by anyone else (or their fans)
[/quote]

Yeah, they were practically giving him away weren't they?

Which is why Villa had to pay 12 million quid for him.

 

[darkstarexodus]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=40322.msg1107140#msg1107140 date=1274403120]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40322.msg1106846#msg1106846 date=1274354169]
[quote author=gareth_thomas link=topic=40322.msg1106845#msg1106845 date=1274354043]
20 million??? what the hell are Young and Agbonlahor worth then?
[/quote]

... credit to O'Neill, who took him from Newcastle when he wasn't really wanted by anyone else (or their fans)
[/quote]

Yeah, they were practically giving him away weren't they?

Which is why Villa had to pay 12 million quid for him.
[/quote]

Still, Milner + Young = Aquilani. And I like Aqua.

 

[Hansern]

Milner and Young is 22 mill £ and Aqua was 17,1, but yeah I see your point.

We should however have gone for Young and not Pennant. 7 mill vs 9,5 mill. But thats the story of Rafas transfer dealings, should have.

 

[Rosco]

If Milner and Young are the height of Man City's ambitions there isn't a whole lot for the league to worry about

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=40322.msg1107001#msg1107001 date=1274377691]
We valued Aquilani at 20, and Milner is miles better than him
[/quote]

Milner isn't miles better, he's better suited to this league and more versatile.

Glad you've made your assessment based on a few games as per, we should start calling you Wikifuckingpedia.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=40322.msg1107152#msg1107152 date=1274419936]
Milner and Young is 22 mill £ and Aqua was 17,1, but yeah I see your point.

We should however have gone for Young and not Pennant. 7 mill vs 9,5 mill. But thats the story of Rafas transfer dealings, should have.
[/quote]

Our need was predominantly for a RM. Young might well be able to play there but has always played mainly on the left. It's also quite possible that Rafa wouldn't have been given that extra £2.5 mill.anyway. Personally I wouldn't have bought Pennant in the first place, but Rafa would have got hammered if he'd bought nobody at all for that position and there were plenty on here who thought Pennant was worth a go.

 

[Jack D Rips]

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=40322.msg1107152#msg1107152 date=1274419936]
Milner and Young is 22 mill £ and Aqua was 17,1, but yeah I see your point.

We should however have gone for Young and not Pennant. 7 mill vs 9,5 mill. But thats the story of Rafas transfer dealings, should have.
[/quote]

Im pretty sure Aqua cost us £20M