Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City target James Milner wants to leave Aston Villa, admits Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill admits that James Milner has voiced his desire to leave Aston Villa for a lucrative move to Manchester City.[LNB]The Villa Park manager is ready to let go of the England international, but only if City up their bid.[LNB]The Eastlands big-spenders have already bid more than £20million, but O'Neill is said to rate the 24-year-old at £30m.[LNB] Flying winger: Milner has impressed in a Villa shirt[LNB]'There is a question mark over James Milner,' said O'Neill. 'I had a conversation with James before the World Cup and he intimated that he would like to go at that time.[LNB]'I haven't spoken to him since. I know there have been conversations with his agent and our chief executive. [LNB]'Manchester City have made an offer for the player but certainly there is a difference in valuation.[LNB][LNB]National hero: Milner in action for England[LNB]'But I'm sure things will get resolved. James is due back next week after an extended stay after the World Cup - the same as the rest of the World Cup players like Emile Heskey, Stephen Warnock and Brad Guzan.[LNB]'They are all due back next week and I imagine things will get resolved one way or the other in the very foreseeable future.'[LNB]Villa would be disappointed to lose one of their key players and offered to make Milner the highest paid player in the club's history during talks before the World Cup finals.[LNB]However, O'Neill said that the former Leeds and Newcastle player had turned down proposal and made it clear he wanted to move to a bigger club.[LNB]Sportsmail first revealed in May that City had identified the versatile player as a central part of their transfer plans, but they have been busy signing other stars as the pursuit dragged on.[LNB]City are wary of being exploited and while Roberto Mancini this week admitted he wanted Milner, he warned the asking price was too high.[LNB]'When Manchester City want to buy a player, other clubs ask much more than is normal,' said the Italian. 'This is not good and it is not right. [LNB]'We have bought three good players already but now Inter Milan, for example, are asking a lot of money for Mario Balotelli, and we want to wait. [LNB]'We are interested in good players like Balotelli and Milner but we have time before the market closes in August. We have a lot of different choices.'[LNB]Villa are currently in Dublin for a training camp, which includes a pre-season friendly against Bohemians on Saturday, but Milner has been given an extended break because of his involvement in the World Cup.[LNB]The former Leeds academy player evolved into one of England's best midfielders last season after moving from the right into the centre and spearheaded Villa's unsuccessful bid for a Champions League spot.[LNB] Headache: O'Neill wants to resolve Milner's future quickly[LNB]Richard Dunne, who left City for Villa last summer, does not begrudge Milner the move but warned the midfielder he could be giving up a guaranteed starting spot.[LNB]'It's part of football,' Dunne told the BBC. 'He has had a great season so teams are going to be interested. If a club is going to offer enough money then players will move on.[LNB]Wantaway: Celtic winger McGeady[LNB]'The manager has proven he can pick out a good player and usually, like James, he has bought them for a cheaper price than he sells them for.[LNB]'The club will miss James, who has been brilliant, but we have to move on and the manager will build again I suppose.[LNB]'James will know, because he is moving to a big club which wants to win the league, that he will be part of a squad. At Aston Villa he will play every week, at Manchester City he may not.[LNB]'But it's the opportunity where he thinks he can go and win the league. Man City is a great club and he will enjoy himself there. Team-wise it's going to be difficult for everyone to get in the team.'[LNB]Losing a star man to big-spending City would not be a new experience for O'Neill, who last summer saw captain Gareth Barry make the move to Eastlands.[LNB]There was intense speculation about the Villa boss' future towards the end of last season after owner Randy Lerner said O'Neill would have to sell players before he could add to his squad.[LNB]A big transfer fee for Milner would therefore allow the Northern Irishman to pursue other targets, which are reported to include Celtic winger Aiden McGeady.[LNB]O'Neill said: 'There's no point in me mentioning names but, without wanting to lose players of the calibre of Milner, we would want to try to recruit some players.[LNB]Out of your league: West Ham are keen to sell midfielder Parker (right)[LNB]'But, as the chairman said at the back end of last season, it's probably going to be a case of having to sell to buy and that's something I'm delving into at the moment.'[LNB]He added: 'I think Aiden McGeady has the ability to play in the Premier League, without question.'[LNB]West Ham star Scott Parker is another who has been linked with a move to Villa Park, but Hammers co-owner David Sullivan this week said their rivals would 'not have enough money' to tempt them to sell the 29-year-old.[LNB] Milner would struggle for spot at Manchester City, claims DowningMilner set for £25m move to Man City despite Chelsea interest in Villa starPremier League's Big Four is no more, says Manchester City midfielder Barry ASTON VILLA FC
