The_Steve

Where are the United and Chelsea links?

Randy has said plenty of times there is money to spend. But a sell to buy policy makes sense for loads of different businesses, but if the opportunity arises he would happily pay cash upfront for players.

“I think. on the other hand if opportunities arise in which the net number of sell-to-buy doesn’t equal what’s required to take advantage of an opportunity then you may spend the money and I wouldn’t exclude us from that group that may do that.”

"We are not in some sort of mode in which we are shutting the door on spending on players."

We can easily buy players before we sell, it's really whether MON wants to or not is another matter. We have a business model to work with unlike clubs like City.

I see we have been linked to Eidur Gudjohnsen on a season long loan. Oh dear is this where we are at now?

Only if you believe every transfer rumour written then yes.

Also haven't Chelsea said they wouldn't go into a bidding war over players with the likes of Citeh?

James Milner moved closer to joining Manchester City last night after declaring he was uncertain of his future at Aston Villa and driven by a desire to win trophies.

On a day when Villa rejected a £20million bid for Milner from big-spending City, the 24-year-old declined the invitation to commit his future to his current club.

Asked if he would still be a Villa player next season, he said: ‘I don’t know.’ He then gave further encouragement to City — believed to be preparing an increased offer — when he said his chief ambition was to end his career with a room full of silverware.

‘That’s what I’m in football to do,’ he said. ‘To win trophies. That’s my No 1 aim for club and country. When I finish my career, I want to be able to go into my trophy room and see winner’s medals. I want to be as successful as I can be. We came close twice with Villa this season.’

Villa are willing to bring forward talks with Milner over a potential new contract, in a bid to ward off City’s interest. Owner Randy Lerner insisted only last week that the club would wait until after the World Cup in South Africa before opening negotiations.

But now they are prepared to speak to the midfielder before he jets off with England.

Villa have a two-day window of opportunity after England’s friendly in Graz against Japan on May 30 in which to discuss an improved deal.

However, speaking at England’s training camp in Austria, Milner said the situation might not be resolved until after the World Cup.

Race against time: Milner could fill Barry's boots if the midfielder doesn't recover in time for the World Cup

Race against time: Milner could fill Barry's boots if the midfielder doesn't recover in time for the World Cup

‘I was concentrating on Villa and I am now concentrating on England,’ he said. ‘I’m here to stake as good a claim as I can to get on the plane to the World Cup.

‘When I finished the season at Villa, I said we’d discuss it after the World Cup. I have enjoyed my time at Villa. It’s a great club to be at. We are moving forward in the right direction. We’ve had a good season. We finished with a higher points total than last year in the League.’

City midfielder Gareth Barry, meanwhile, insists treatment on his ankle is going well and he is hopeful of making the cut for South Africa.

Barry said: ‘I’ve been having regular sessions with the medical staff at Carrington and they are pleased with how things are going.

‘I’m feeling positive still and the medical staff are being brilliant — they are doing everything they can to help me.’

link

Daily Heil's spin on things, nice of them to be selective with their use of quotes here to suit their angle.

Two words spring to mind but I don't want to get banned

Comedian in the house!

You lot are jokers, take off those claret & blue specs for 5 minutes ffs.

It's not like im up in arms about him leaving, slating the chairman, manager etc. Im just a realist. I'll save this page for a few weeks time and you can apologise.

What makes you so sure he's off then?

I fail to see how people can believe Milner has already gone. Nothing will change till after the World Cup.

I read it as he's prepared to discuss his future with the club, nothing about leaving in my opinion.

What exactly did Milner say?

SSN acting like he is definitely going tbh. (I don't think he will) but they seem desperate for it.

Rolling 24 hour news channel desperate for content will try every angle and hope they are right.

Randy has said we won't sell him, so everyone relax. It's really up to Milner now.

Again this based purely on Sky sources, nothing official from either side. City fans are jumping the gun fitting Milner into formations as are we by selecting players we would take in a swap. We won't know anything till after the training camp is over or a statement is made by Milner or either club.

We won't sell Milner unless he hands in a transfer requests. Gotta love some City fans turning their noses up at Milner, the money has gone to some of their heads.

Man City HAVE made an approx £20m bid for Milner and you can bet it will be rejected by Villa #AVFC #MCFC

Olivier Kay from The Times' Twitter page

Or their sources have told them they've lodged a bid. Have they been getting PM's from users on Bluemoon?

BREAKING NEWS - Sky Sports News Sources

£20m Bid from Man City lodged

Isn't that just the same thing they printed on their website? Bit slow aren't they on the television side?

Rubbish link, written by a rubbish website. Probably a re-hash of last years story.

"It is important that players come here for the right reasons," the Italian told reporters.

"A player may go to a club because they are in the Champions League. But then that club gets knocked out in the group stages - and they are in the same situation as us.

"I think the important thing is the project. We have a big project for the future here.

"That's why I believe that if a player chooses Manchester City, they have made a fantastic choice, even though we will not be in the Champions League next season.

"If we had got to fourth place, then all the players would have wanted to come here.

"It's possible that some players do not want to come now, but for me, that would be a big mistake - because City are a fantastic club."

link

Some great quotes from Mancini, players will come to City for the right reasons *cough* huge wages *cough*. It's also really irritating when they refer to themselves as a project.

Would much rather have Friedel in goal than Foster.

Last time I checked both clubs will be in the Europa League next season with aspirations of breaking the top 4th. I'm confident we won't sell Milner, unless of course he hands in a transfer request like he did with Newcastle (completely different situation and club). Milner doesn't strike me as a player motivated by money but footballing reasons, he'd benefit more from staying here in my opinion. We are by no means poor, Randy just wants a sustainable transfer policy unlike City. Ultimately, we won't sell unless Milner asks to leave.

I'm more inclined to believe the words of our owner that Milner won't be sold rather than the word of what remains utter speculation with no quotes attributed to either club or player. I won't believe anything written until I hear/read officially from the club.

Skysports.com understands Manchester City have tabled a big money offer for Aston Villa winger James Milner.

The England international enjoyed a sparkling 2009/10 campaign, considerably raising his profile.

Reports in January speculated that a number of top clubs were keeping tabs on the talented 24-year-old, with it widely believed that there is still more to come from him in the future.

City have now made the first move, with it believed that Roberto Mancini is willing to part with around £20million to take the reigning PFA Young Player of the Year to Eastlands.

It is easy to understand why the Blues are so keen on the former Leeds and Newcastle man, as he has just finished his most productive season to date.

A respectable return of 12 goals from midfield marks him out as a useful addition to any side, while his versatility can also prove priceless.

Busy summer

Milner is able to operate on either flank or at full-back, while he blossomed in the centre of midfield for Villa since being shifted inside by Martin O'Neill.

He has been included in Fabio Capello's preliminary squad for this summer's World Cup and is widely regarded as a shoo-in to make the final cut.

Villa have yet to respond to the offer on the table from City but will be reluctant to part with their key performers.

Unfortunately for O'Neill, there are plenty of other teams rumoured to be ready to make a move and he could be in for a busy summer.

Premier League champions Chelsea are also said to be keen on Milner and they could be tempted to chance their arm in an effort to prevent one of their rivals from strengthening their squad.

Sky sports

Skysports.com understands is a euphemism for talking out of our arses.

Milner won't be sold and Carrick's had an awful season for United, it doesn't mean they are going to be bidding for our Jimmy. City will have bigger targets than Milner I imagine.

I believe Kevin Kuranyi is available on a free!?!? Worth a shout?

He's signing for dynamo moscow so i read

that puts that one to bed! Cheers!!

Rumour is they will be paying him 100,000 a week. Madness.

Well done Spurs, overall they probably deserve forth since they've played the most consistent and good football with all their injury problems. Be interesting to see if they can actually qualify for the competition now though. Still I'm glad it won't be Gareth Barry potentially playing Champions League football now.