Manchester City Football Club News

• Nickname:Sky Blues
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Roberto Mancini

• Ground:City of Manchester Stadium
• Capacity:48,000

Citizens close in on Milner

17 Aug 2010 - 14:56:20

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is hopeful that the deal to bring Aston Villa's James Milner to the club will be finalised in the next couple of days.

The 24-year-old England international is expected to head to Eastlands, with Stephen Ireland leaving the Citizens to join Villa as part of a deal worth a reported £24million.

Mancini told reporters: "I hope we can close it either today or tomorrow.

"I think that Milner is a good player, an English player which is important. I think that Milner can play in different positions.

"We have today and tomorrow to close the deal."

Meanwhile, Mancini is confident that recent signing Mario Balotelli will prove to be a success in England following his arrival from Internazionale.

The 20-year-old forward has gained a reputation for being hard to handle, but Mancini added: "All of us are said to be bad boys when we are young, but I have worked with Mario before and he is a normal person.

"He is young player, only 20 years old, who can do a lot in the Premier League. He has all the qualities needed to become a fantastic player."