The Fixer
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Milner deal delay after O'Neill resignation
Stuart Brennan
August 10, 2010
James Milner in training with England on Tuesday
Martin O’Neill’s shock resignation could delay James Milner's £24m-rated move to Manchester City.
Blues boss Roberto Mancini had hoped that the midfield ace would link up with the Blues after returning from England duty on Thursday.
But O’Neill’s resignation has thrown Villa Park into turmoil and interrupted negotiations for the player which were at an advanced stage.
The Aston Villa manager quit his job in protest at owner Randy Lerner’s insistence on a sell-to-buy policy which meant the England midfielder would be sold to the Blues.
O’Neill is believed to have urged his Villa Park bosses to resist City’s overtures, or at least hold out for the original £30m asking price.
But with City refusing to budge, Villa are now ready to agree a deal which almost halves the difference between the clubs’ original valuation, as City made an offer of £20m before the World Cup finals.
That comes 12 months after Villa also sold Gareth Barry to the Blues for £12m and O’Neill is said to have been furious that the club seems happy to sell their best players to Premier League rivals.
Another complication could be the involvement of Stevie Ireland in the deal. The Blues would get Milner for £16m plus the £8m-rated Ireland. Whether Villa will now sanction such a deal, with no manager in place, remains to be seen and that leaves Ireland’s future up in the air.
There had also been some doubt whether Villa would be prepared to meet the wages which Ireland would want to make the move to Villa Park
Stuart Brennan
August 10, 2010
James Milner in training with England on Tuesday
Martin O’Neill’s shock resignation could delay James Milner's £24m-rated move to Manchester City.
Blues boss Roberto Mancini had hoped that the midfield ace would link up with the Blues after returning from England duty on Thursday.
But O’Neill’s resignation has thrown Villa Park into turmoil and interrupted negotiations for the player which were at an advanced stage.
The Aston Villa manager quit his job in protest at owner Randy Lerner’s insistence on a sell-to-buy policy which meant the England midfielder would be sold to the Blues.
O’Neill is believed to have urged his Villa Park bosses to resist City’s overtures, or at least hold out for the original £30m asking price.
But with City refusing to budge, Villa are now ready to agree a deal which almost halves the difference between the clubs’ original valuation, as City made an offer of £20m before the World Cup finals.
That comes 12 months after Villa also sold Gareth Barry to the Blues for £12m and O’Neill is said to have been furious that the club seems happy to sell their best players to Premier League rivals.
Another complication could be the involvement of Stevie Ireland in the deal. The Blues would get Milner for £16m plus the £8m-rated Ireland. Whether Villa will now sanction such a deal, with no manager in place, remains to be seen and that leaves Ireland’s future up in the air.
There had also been some doubt whether Villa would be prepared to meet the wages which Ireland would want to make the move to Villa Park