Source: Team_Talk
City have got claws into Milner - O'Neill
James Milner's protracted move to Manchester City could be concluded this weekend, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has said.[LNB] After leaving the England international midfielder out of the Villa squad for Friday night's friendly with Valencia, O'Neill said an end to the summer-long transfer saga would be welcome.[LNB]"We didn't play him primarily because there could be something happening in terms of the transfer," O'Neill said following the goalless draw with the Spaniards.[LNB]"I thought it would be the best thing to do not to play him in case something develops over the weekend or Monday or Tuesday.[LNB]"I think there's been fresh contact. I couldn't tell you whether there's been a renewed offer.[LNB]"I think there is something in that there now, yes (getting it concluded quickly). I agree.[LNB]"I think that's for everyone's benefit really, it's probably time to get something done if it's at all possible.[LNB]"And I think that was the aim anyway when the teams were talking.[LNB]"But I'm unable to furnish you with further details at this moment."[LNB]Villa rejected a £20million bid from City for Milner in May and put a £30million price tag on the versatile former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder.[LNB]City boss Roberto Mancini is still keen to sign Milner and O'Neill believes developments could be imminent as talks between the clubs are ongoing.[LNB]Reports suggest Stephen Ireland could be used as a make-weight in the transfer.[LNB]But whatever the details of the transfer, O'Neill appears keen for the negotiations to come to a conclusion, despite again losing one of the club's better players to City following Gareth Barry's move last summer.[LNB]O'Neill added: "I think losing your best players at the football club would obviously cause you a headache.[LNB]"That's a problem, it's a problem because you're trying to build something and something like this happens.[LNB]"It happened obviously two seasons ago with Gareth - a few seasons ago now - the two years ago when it didn't get resolved and I'm not so sure anyone wants to go down that route again."[LNB]O'Neill confirmed left-back Nicky Shorey was on the verge of a move to West Brom.[LNB]"Nicky has gone over there for a medical," said the Villa boss.[LNB]"I know some fee had been agreed but like anything else until it's all done and dusted these days you never know.[LNB]"It seemed that everything was in place at the time."
