VILLA WILL BREAK WAGE CAP TO KEEP MILNER
Midlanders move to fend off Liverpool interest
JAMES MILNER will begin talks to extend his Aston Villa contract until 2015 when this month's transfer window closes.
The England winger joined the Midlands club from Newcastle for £12million in September 2008 and signed a four-year deal worth £40,000-a-week.
But the versatile star has since become one of Martin O'Neill's most important players and will now demand around £75,000-a-week, making him the club's top earner.
The Villa boss likes a loose wage cap to protect morale in the dressing room and the talks are likely to involve a lot of negotiation from both sides.
Milner, 24, made his England debut against Holland last August and his fine form in Villa's attempt to break into the top four has attracted interest from Liverpool.
His impressive performances in victories at Anfield and Old Trafford this season have also brought him to the attention of other members of the top four.
He has two and a half years left on his current deal but O'Neill, who believes the Leeds academy graduate could eventually become a central midfielder, wants to tie him down to a longer deal to ward off interest from other clubs.
That would see the player add a further three years to his present agreement. It will also ensure that Villa receive a big fee if he does leave.
Bargaining
Milner was among the lowest paid players at Newcastle and his representatives are believed to have thought they could have got a better deal for him when he arrived at Villa at a time when big contracts were being handed out to the likes of Ashley Young and John Carew.
Young is the club's highest earner on £65,000-a-week but Milner is a near certainty to make Fabio Capello's World Cup squad for South Africa next summer, and that will increase his bargaining position. Stilyan Petrov recently signed a contract worth £50,000-a-week, while Richard Dunne and Norwegian striker Carew are thought to be on slightly higher deals.
It is likely that the talks will result in Milner signing a contract worth around £70,000-a-week before heading off to South Africa with England.
Since winning his first England cap and setting up a goal in the Holland friendly, the former England Under-21 international has played in the last three World Cup qualifiers as well as in November's friendly defeat to Brazil in Dubai.
Milner has 46 Under-21 caps and has played for his country at that level more times than any other player. His last appearance was in the European Championship final defeat against Germany in Sweden last summer, which England lost 4-0.
His ability to cover a variety of positions has seen his importance to Villa increase. This season he has played on both wings, in central midfield and even at right-back.
He recently stated that he is enjoying the most settled period of his career having played under 13 different managers and caretakers by the age of 23.
Milner became the youngest player to score in the Premier League when he found the net for Leeds in 2002 when he was just 16.
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This article has 9 comments
you need to start paying attention more. not only is Milner brilliant for Villa hes also working his way up to be a vital part of the England team. I hope he stays at Villa as hes easily the hardest worker on that pitch at any time!
By louise.. Posted January 10 2010 at 11:43 PM.
another english player who has done nothing yet it seems others think he is world class - deluded
By Keogh.. Posted January 10 2010 at 3:13 PM.
after rooney,milner has to be the most important player for england due to his versitility...as for villa,they wont let him go,what ever the bid is. V.T.I.D.
By marc black.. Posted January 10 2010 at 1:10 PM.
James Milner is playing the best football of his career and is extremely settled at Villa, he'll be sorting an extension out :) UTV
By Darren Ward.. Posted January 10 2010 at 12:52 PM.
No-one in the money hungry world of football can predict outcomes but it would appear that in James Milner the Villa have one of the most grounded individuals around.
He says he is happy playing for the wonderful Martin O'Neil and Randy Lerner so why believe otherwise.
The Villa fans adore him and theres no doubt his place in the Villas Hall of Fame is assured
By jack yates.. Posted January 10 2010 at 12:34 PM.
James Milner eats nails and kicks the ball so hard he can play a one-two off the moon.
The lad is gleaming, will only get better and be at the heart of Villa for many years to come.
Oh, Liverpool couldn't afford a new set of tracksuits at the moment are not currently a 'top 4' side, either.
UTV!!
By Jon.. Posted January 10 2010 at 11:53 AM.
Big mistake if Villa don't do everything to keep a hold of Milner
By james hogarth.. Posted January 10 2010 at 9:35 AM.
James Milner does not have an agent - his contract talks are dealt with on an ad hoc basis by a PFA representative. He also seems to be one of the least money-hungry players around. Add in talk of fending off Liverpool's interest, and it renders the tone of this article, which portrays Villa as worried about fending off other clubs, rather incredible. Villa may unilaterally like to reward him though, but why the slant?
By James.. Posted January 10 2010 at 3:16 AM.
With Milner's ability no one has noticed Gareth Barry leave for Man City, he has stepped into the role really well. I hope he carries that on to the England team
By stuart.. Posted January 10 2010 at 2:41 AM.