James Milner wants Man City place

ENGLAND star James Milner has rocked Aston Villa by admitting he wants a mega-bucks move to Manchester City.

Milner has told boss Martin ONeill he wants to leave and will get his wish if City can get closer to Villas 30m valuation

Now Milner seems certain to depart for Eastlands after ONeill opened the door to a move. The Villa manager expects things to accelerate next week when the 24-year-old reports back for training.

Milner had stalled on signing a new contract that would have made him the clubs highest earner, but ONeills revelation that the player wants out is a fresh blow to the clubs fans.

The Villa boss insists that Citys opening bid of 20m is nowhere near enough and that they want 30m, but any offer in the middle is likely to succeed.

ONeill seems resigned to the fact that Milner, a 12m signing from Newcastle, will be on his way sooner rather than later.

He said: There is a question mark over James. I had a conversation with him before the World Cup and he intimated that he would like to go.

I havent spoken to him since. I know there have been conversations with his agent and our chief executive.

City have made an offer. There is a difference in valuation. But Im sure things will get resolved one way or the other in the very forese! eable fu ture.

Fed-up ONeill finds himself in a similar situation to last year when he lost star midfielder Gareth Barry to big-spending City.

He will look to get City midfielder Stephen Ireland included in any package and will then turn to West Hams Scott Parker or Celtics Aiden McGeady to bolster his squad.

ONeill said: If a fee is agreed, at the end of the day, the player can leave.


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