The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[Monty]

I think the concept of 'worth' goes out the window in terms of transfers these days.  It's a matter of how much the buying club are prepared to pay and how much the selling club want to say yes to the deal.  Whether or not the player is actually worth it is secondary.

IMO, Milner may not be worth £30m, but that doesn't matter if Man City are prepared to pay it.

I agree.

The issue with Man City is that they're paying over the odds for players. That's an issue primarily for them, but also for the rest of the market as it has a knock-on effect.

Is Milner worth 30m? No.

Was Lescott worth 24m? No.

Did Man City pay 24m for Lescott? Yes.

If they paid 24m for Lescott, should they be willing to pay 30m for Milner? Yes.

That's the poisonous effect they're having on the game, and it'll be ten times worse when you bring into play the wages factor.

They're doing it now, though, because they know that Platini's regulations will put a pretty firm stop to this. Which is a long-term relief, but cold comfort in the short-term.

[MoetVillan]

If Milner stays, we keep a great young prospect for our midfield, arguably one to build a team around.  If he goes, we potentially receive 30 million pounds with or without other players in one of the last transfer windows where the value will be so high.  30 million may be the "market" price, but as many threads have shown, its overpriced.  We cant lose.  Im looking forward to next season whatever the outcome.

[supertom]

Agreed it's no lose. Sense would dictate that for 30 million, we take it, and then boost our summer budget to around 50. 5 players around the 10 mill quality would significantly improve us.

Because of what Milner offers in midfield, I'd say you'd need 2 players to replaces him, but if we were to get 20 as well as Ireland, then spend a chunk of that 20 on a top quality defensive midfielder, we'll be better.

Whatever happens, I'd trust that if we signed 5 players this summer, O Neill will get it right for 3, and that could be enough to compete.

The key is getting someone to anchor that midfied and protect the back 4, and a top class striker.

[villa1]

I'm now actually thinking we should sell him for the right price as it would be a chance to bring in a couple of quality midfield players to replace him.

[supertom]

I'd say as well, that if we can buy a wide man who can push Young and Downing for a place, it'd be most beneficial. Young needs to regain his form from a year or two back, and Downing needs to turn up at the Villa, because he hasn't arrived yet.

[villa1]

I'd say as well, that if we can buy a wide man who can push Young and Downing for a place, it'd be most beneficial. Young needs to regain his form from a year or two back, and Downing needs to turn up at the Villa, because he hasn't arrived yet.

SWP?

[Dave]

I think the only reason that it would be worth buying Wright-Phillips is to prevent him having his usual one excellent game of the season against us.

[villa1]

He does tend to do well against us to be fair. Good player but maybe a little inconsistent with his final ball.

[SoccerHQ]

Remember the endless debates on here one summer at
12m who of SWP or Milner would represent the best deal.

Despite all my indifference to whether he goes or not, I still remain a fan of Milner, how he plays and also how he conducts himself off the pitch aswell. A class act.

When we signed him for 12m and he had a dodgy start, I said not to worry as he'd be worth every penny and so it's proved.

Just 30m is a massive amount of money. Or 15m and players like Ireland and Onouha.

It's for someone who only started playing central midfield in December. Who we be getting these sorts of bids if he'd remained out wide all season? I suspect not.

I think once the world cup is over Man. City will push the bid up to 30m or less with a player or two in and that is simply too good to turn down.

No guarentee we'll finish higher than 6th with him in the team next season especially if the lack of creativity remains. And if he dosen't sign a new contract we won't get as much for him.

Let's do something different for a change and see what happens.

[Shrek]

SWP is still in my opinion a better winger than Milner.

People forget that until Milner moved into the middle he was not our best player, Ash was.

I agree that it is no lose, because if we keep him great, but if we dont 30 million is massive!

One thing that is apparent though is how far apart Milner is away from the likes of Gerrard, who looked a class above when they switched positions in the mexico game.

[Shrek]

SWP is still in my opinion a better winger than Milner.

People forget that until Milner moved into the middle he was not our best player, Ash was.

I agree that it is no lose, because if we keep him great, but if we dont 30 million is massive!

One thing that is apparent though is how far apart Milner is away from the likes of Gerrard, who looked a class above when they switched positions in the mexico game.

I forgot to say Milner is by far a better player than SWP.

[BedsVillain]

SWP is still in my opinion a better winger than Milner.

People forget that until Milner moved into the middle he was not our best player, Ash was.

I agree that it is no lose, because if we keep him great, but if we dont 30 million is massive!

One thing that is apparent though is how far apart Milner is away from the likes of Gerrard, who looked a class above when they switched positions in the mexico game.

I forgot to say Milner is by far a better player than SWP.

I like SWP, think he's a very good footballer. I don't think he's a great winger, but when he has the ball in the middle and gets the chance to run at defenders he always looks a threat. Was very glad he got the nod ahead of Walcott for the WC. If we're struggling for a goal with 20 mins to go he's a much better option.

[pablopicasso_10]

30 mil or piss off...

win / win for us...

[JUAN PABLO]

30 mil or piss off...

win / win for us...

Agree, Villa are in a very good position here.

If he stays , great , build a team round him. If we get 30 million, excellent buisness and we can buy 3 quality players with that.

[jeowje]

Except that any selling club could then dig their heels in for an inflated price, knowing that we have just screwed Man City and now have lots of money to spend...