The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[MadJohnnyC]

If they offered Ireland and Santa Cruz i'd snap there hand off.

[eastie]

If they offered Ireland and Santa Cruz i'd snap there hand off.

Ireland, Santa cruz and £ 10m!

[Beijing Villan]

As a club, we have two options, sell or keep. We can keep Milner by making a post World Cup contract offer that he accepts, that will need both parties to come to an agreement. Alternatively, if we cannot come to an agreement or MONJ/Randy/Club decide to cash in then our job is to get the best possible deal for AVFC.

Too early in the game to make a prediction, but there are number of factors in our favour.

1. Milner has two years left on his contract. That gives us a certain amount of bargaining power.

2. MON played hardball with Barry/Liverpool/Citeh in a similar situation which was a good precedent to set. Shows that we have a history of not letting rivals take the piss.

3. Time is on our side (see 1). The World Cup kicks off very soon and Capello has said that players should not be involved in transfer negotiations during the WC. Hence why ManC have tried to kick this off early. Citeh are the ones in a hurry, there is no reason why we have to let them dictate the timing of this - tell them to bugger off now and if they want to have a chat after the WC then that is their perogative.

4. The club has already said that they plan to talk with Milner post-WC with regards to a new contract. We should keep to that intention.

5. Citeh obviously see Milner as a key signing, the longer this drags on the twitchier they will get. The more likely they are to up the ante.

6. The longer this drags on the more likely other clubs may start to have a sniff. It's doubtful that anyone will outbid Citeh but having Chelsea or ManUre making enquiries would strengthen our hand if we decided to sell.


With regards to a cash+player deal, I'm not sure that's a good option. Citeh are paying silly wages, I can't see Bellamy, SWP et al being open to the idea of a pay decrease to move to the Villa and I don't want to see them coming here on the inflated salaries that they currently earn, I just don't see them justifying the cost.

[caster troy]

Has anyone mentioned that Shearer has told him to stay at Villa? He's certainly gone up in my estimations. How long before David Platt comes out and says he should leave?

I'm surprised no-one has suggested we ask for Barry back as part of the deal....

[peter w]

I'd be happier to sell our Ash to be honest. Move Milner to the right a la Des Bremner and get have downing on the left. Would give us a better balance and allow us to buy another forward and attacking midfielder with money.

[PaulWinch again]

If they offered Ireland and Santa Cruz i'd snap there hand off.

I assume you mean with a fair wedge of money? because if not, they can forget it.

[Walmley_Villa]

Santa Cruz has been a flop and Ireland's a bling merchant and slightly mad - great swop..?

[peter w]

Let's be sensible. Milner will be worth around 20-25m.

Ireland and Santa Cruz together will come to around that. The swap isn't bad but still leaves us without balance so unless MON has other rods in the fire then no.

[MadJohnnyC]

Santa Cruz has been a flop and Ireland's a bling merchant and slightly mad - great swop..?

Milners fantastic engine and attitude naturally endears him to the fans but in my opinion his ability is limited and often leaves gaps whilst running around like a headless chicken.

He is not in the frame of a top international midfielder like your Lampards and your Gerrards - not by a long stretch.

Ireland would be more than a capable replacement and Santa Cruz would thrive on the service Ash would supply. It would be unrealistic to want money as well seen as Santa Cruz cost them a fortune only a year ago.

[MadJohnnyC]

If they offered Ireland and Santa Cruz i'd snap there hand off.

I assume you mean with a fair wedge of money? because if not, they can forget it.

Okay then they can throw in Richards aswell !

[ozzjim]

Ireland, Santa Cruz and Onourha would be a good deal for us. tHe joy of City is they have 5-6 players who would make us a hell of a lot stronger squad wise and going forward.

[SoccerHQ]

Would've taken Santa Cruz a year ago but he dosen't seem that bothered anymore.

Never been a big fan but SWP might do o.k for us...

[Dave]

Let's be sensible. Milner will be worth around 20-25m.

Worth for whom? For us or Man Utd, probably.

For Man City? Stick a nought on the end of it. Why wouldn't we?

[Rigadon]

I'm surprised so many people are keen on Santa Cruz as part some kind swap plus cash deal.  He had one good season for Blackburn and has been a spectator since.  

Also, Bellamy.  Great player but at the end of his career and on outrageous wages.  

SWP, not for me.

Ireland.  Maybe.

In fact, any of the fringe players at city were not good enough to get in a team that only finished the points equivalent of one win above us are unlikely to make the sort of impact we need to push us on from high pacing also rans.

This is a turning point for me.  We have to keep James Milner at all costs.  He should be made club captain and paid what he is worth in today's current market because if he's allowed to leave for Manchester City we may as well admit that we are going to be a good cup side and nothing more.

People talk about the transfer fee as if it's their own bank account.  ALl I care about is watching a Villa team that's as good as it can be and right now that should have Milner at it's heart.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Sky are reporting that Milner will only decide his future after the World Cup. Sounds hopeful.