[owenrooneyruud]

Newcastle winger James Milner has handed in a transfer request at St James' Park.

The England Under 21 international is a reported summer target for Aston Villa, where he spent a successful season on loan in 2005/06.

Kevin Keegan is eager to retain Milner's services in the North East and sees him as an integral part of the club's long-term plans.

The winger scored one and created another in the Magpies' 3-2 extra-time victory over Coventry in the Carling Cup second round on Tuesday night.

Very disappointed
A statement on the club's official website read: "Newcastle United can confirm that it has received a written transfer request from James Milner.

"The club is very disappointed that James sees his footballing future as being away from St James' Park. He is a valued member of the squad and it is only a year ago that he signed an improved long-term contract.

"We have yet to receive an offer for James that has matched our valuation of him.

"However, should such an offer be received then the club would be forced to consider it, given James' apparent desire to leave."

Villa are believed to have already had one bid of £7million rejected by the Magpies, who value the former Leeds United man at £9million.


Targets
Martin O'Neill would not be drawn on Villa's interest in Milner, but admitted he was keen to bring in new faces before the closure of the transfer window.

O'Neill told Sky Sports News: "We would like to try and make some signings between now and the transfer deadline.

"We've got a number of targets in mind, and those may or may not materialise.

"We wouldn't mind trying to add to our squad if it is at all possible. We are making every effort to do so."
Source: SkySports

milner is a top player and so young.. he is most capped for england u-21 and him going to a club like villa will be great.. young and milner on the wings with gabby up front

 

[Jazz 16]

What a ****!
I heard him in an interview after last night's Carling cup game and he said,
he wasnt interested in the specualtion off the field as he cant control any of that.
What a load of crap......He said he just wanted to play football.
Few hours later he hands ina transfer request.

Hope the Pool dont get him cos he is a very good player imo and still very young

 

[Drew9]

Got a strong feeling he might be off to Liverpool, dont rule out Man City either.

 

[RN10]

Good player, hope he doesn't go to the pool tho as he would really improve them

 

[piazza]

If anyone is shocked he wants out of the Toon, they're an absolute tool.

 

[owenrooneyruud]

PFA backing client Milner

The Professional Footballers' Association, who represent James Milner, have come out in defence of the midfielder after he requested a move away from Newcastle.

The Magpies revealed early on Wednesday that Milner has asked for a transfer - which they are now considering.

However, PFA chief executive Mick McGuire has defended the player and insists Milner only ever wanted a new deal at the club.

"The PFA, who represent James Milner, are disappointed that information regarding his request for a move, and the circumstances surrounding it, have come to the public's attention, and we feel we have no option but to respond," said a statement from McGuire.

"The facts are that James' transfer request was actually handed in on Wednesday, August 20, at which point it was asked by Newcastle to keep the matter private.

"The request was given because the player was looking for an improvement on his contract that reflected his development and his value to the club.

"There was a meeting between the owner and all relevant people at the club today when we believed James' request was to be discussed."

McGuire insists that Milner just wants to be rewarded for his progress over the last year.

"To clarify the situation, James did sign a contract 12 months ago," he continued.

"However, this agreement was reached with the club nearly 12 months previous at the point at which Newcastle had agreed to sell James to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day 2006 before cancelling the agreement at the 11th hour.

"Since then he has played over 80 games for Newcastle. All James wanted was a deal that reflected his development and that was in line with Newcastle's transfer valuation of him.

"Whilst James does have three years left on his current agreement, it is common practice that when a young player signs a long-term contract, this is reviewed and improved on a regular basis with a player's development, but equally it protects the club's position in regard to their transfer value.

"Although the transfer request was handed in seven days ago, James has been professional in keeping the matter private whilst giving strong performances for Newcastle."

Aston Villa, Everton and Liverpool are all now being tipped to make a bid for the England Under 21 international before next week's transfer deadline.
Source: Sky Sports

just hope he dont go to liverscum..

 

[-zuco-]

He's playing a dangerous game by taking this action. If nobody bids for him he'll
be stuck at a club he has bad relations with. The fans might even turn on him.

 

[yangch0000]

decent player, but i dont think he will make it at the big clubs, so liverpool might suit him better

 

[RN10]

Aston Villa Sign James Milner

on four year deal from newcastle just saw it on SSN. Good buy for villa i think he's talented

 

[Zense_United]

lets see what can he do in uefa cup

 

[Daz-Irl]

hes a good player

 

[abojodeh]

huh he renewed his contract early this summer

quality player by the way

 

[Jazz 16]

Very good player, only 22. Villa now have Agbon, Young and Milner.
Young, quick, English and very able. Fair play Martin.
Hopefully they can take 4th off Liverpool. That would make me laugh.

 

[reddwarf]

Good signing for Villa. They have some really good young English players at the club. Young, Agbonlohor and now Milner makes an exciting attacking trio.

 

[bricktop]

Good signing for Villa. They have some really good young English players at the club. Young, Agbonlohor and now Milner makes an exciting attacking trio.

I would seriously consider Villa breaking into the top 4, bit dodgy defensively of late but attack wise they are quality with the pace of agbonlahor & young. Also a top manager in o'neill who can get the best out of players.

 

[VaVa]

Milner is a good player.... needs to score more goals tho!
He is nowhere near as good as Young but he might improve at Villa

 

[Nemanjaaa]

Yeah I agree if Villa bolstered their defence, they would be serious contenders to break the top 4. I think that Spurs have the strongest squad outside the top 4, but they need time to gel after all the new signings, but one day one of these team's will knock off Liverpool or Arsenal, just like Everton did a few years back with ateam that wasn't particularly that good.

 

[owenrooneyruud]

Milner agrees Villa deal

Four-year deal for England Under 21 star

Aston Villa have announced the signing of James Milner from Newcastle.

The England Under 21 international has penned a four-year deal at Villa after passing a medical at Villa Park.

Newcastle were resigned to losing the winger after he handed in transfer request following the club's refusal to offer him an improved contract.

Villa have been leading the chase for Milner all summer with the club having already seen one bid rejected for the former Leeds starlet.

Everton are also believed to have made a move for Milner, but were put off by Newcastle's asking price.

Villa finally agreed an undisclosed fee with Newcastle late on Thursday after lengthy negotiations and the player was given permission to travel to Birmingham for a medical and discuss personal terms.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been chasing Milner since he enjoyed a successful spell on loan in the 2005/06 season and he has now finally got his man.

The news is a blow for Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan who was keen to keep Milner and had called on the club to offer the midfielder a new deal to secure his future.
Source: Sky Sports

good signing for villa and they will push for 4th if they buy another quality striker

 

[RichardsReds]

This is a shock signing for me. I cannot believe newcastle let him go! He was a fans favourite and one of their better performers. I though Kegan was trying to improve newcastle...