The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[Dave]

I can't even begin to imagine what you think £240m represents.

[Stu]

I really think it depends on how Jimmy does at the wc. If he has a great performance then he'll be off IMO, I doubt we'd be able to match his wage demands at the negotiations for a new contract.

Can't see it being Man City though. I'd have thought Man United would keep their powder dry before launching a bid. Either way, I don't think he'll be here in August if he performs well in SA.

[mcgrath_85]

I think the correct amount is closer to one hundred million. That's what has turned us into a top 6 side.

30-40 million of it was. Yes.

[codyvillan]

i think 25 mill represents excellent business by the club, and is crucial in providing thes sustainable business model that we all want.

its what spurs have had to do for years losing carrick and berbatov, but they've reinvested the money well, maintained their position as champs league challengers, and finally made it.

i think thats what we need to be doing

[PaulTheVillan]

I think Milner will not be a Villa player by September.

[Concrete John]

I think the correct amount is closer to one hundred million. That's what has turned us into a top 6 side.

But mpst if was spent on bad players, wasn't it?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

There is a world of difference between the Barry situation and Millners. Unfortunately, it may be the same conclusion. Everybody has their price.
If he did finish up leaving, from James Millners point of view a move to Man U would be far preferable for his career. Apart from MON he has had no managerial stability, instability could be expected to return going to Man City or Chelsea.
From our point of view, you never want you stars to leave but it can work to your advantage. Ron Atkinson was able to build a fine side with the help of money received for David Platt. On the other hand, it took us years to recover from Dwight Yorke leaving, perhaps we never fully recovered and got left behind at a vital time.

Isn't that the problem with the Villa, we never build from a position of strength?

[eastie]

I'd hold out for £28m though rumours sweeping Manchester are they are making a 2nd offer of £25m tonight.

I can see this being finalised before the world cup as I'm sure nobody will want it to drag on for weeks.

[boboonthecorner]

i think 25 mill represents excellent business by the club, and is crucial in providing thes sustainable business model that we all want.

its what spurs have had to do for years losing carrick and berbatov, but they've reinvested the money well, maintained their position as champs league challengers, and finally made it.

i think thats what we need to be doing

I must admit this thought crossed my mind the other day. Very good point......

[not3bad]

I'd hold out for £28m though rumours sweeping Manchester are they are making a 2nd offer of £25m tonight.

No way will MON accept a penny less than £30 mill (if it isn't a part player swap).  And City can afford it too.

[KevinGage]

I'd be relatively optimistic that if it's only a choice out of Citeh or us, he'll remain here.

Not for any moral or ethical reason on Jimmy's part, purely from the point of view that it might benefit his career to stay (at least) a year longer with us.

He has already left his boyhood club, departed Newcastle when he was very popular with their fans so there is previous in that regard. Lets not delude ourselves that he loves us any more than he's loved those two previous clubs.

That said, I think he is less likely to be swayed by flashing pound signs as per Lardarse, and the combination of a settled environment, a manager who he knows and trusts (and a pay increase) should be enough to see him remain.

If it's *only* Citeh that are in the bidding. If a genuinely big club comes in, that's a different matter altogether.

[Concrete John]

From our point of view, you never want you stars to leave but it can work to your advantage. Ron Atkinson was able to build a fine side with the help of money received for David Platt. On the other hand, it took us years to recover from Dwight Yorke leaving, perhaps we never fully recovered and got left behind at a vital time.

Although both the deals were done under him, I would think the difference should Milner go is Doug v Randy.

With Platt the £5m from Bari was far in excess of what transfers cost in the UK at the time, with Yorke it was high but not artificially so compared to what we were paying for transfers at the time.  Although both were re-invested, Platt's fee allowed us to steal a march and Yorke's didn't.  The Milner cash might not either, but it will probably be on top of Randy's own spending, so ultimately we can recover from it.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

If he is going, we should definetely hold out until after the world cup. If he doesnt do anything of note in the tournament, his value wont go down. However, its not beyond the realms of possibility that he could excel and we get an extra £10-£15 million.

[Arsey]

Forget about Bellamy; he'll be on over 100k at Citeh and he is hardly going to take a 50% pay cut to come to us.  He's also 31, it would be crazy to sign a player over 30 whose biggest asset is his pace.

I would rather we concentrated our efforts on buying players under 24 who will develop into the next big stars (only for Citeh to come and buy them).

[5ft811st2 Durham]

Considering that City paid 24 million for Joleon Lescott which was over twice his market value, there is no way we should accept anything less than 38 million.