Friday's B*ll*x
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:15 amManchester City up bid for James Milner to £24m but deal turns ugly
Midfielder reacts angrily over Martin O'Neill's comments
Villa seeking higher bid plus Stephen Ireland in part-exchange
James Milner is angry at the Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill for suggesting the midfielder had wanted to quit the club.
Manchester City will make a £24m second and final offer for James Milner within the next 48 hours as they seek to push through a deal for the England international.
The proposed deal is being conducted amid considerable acrimony with the winger's relationship with the Aston Villa manager, Martin O'Neill, threatening to unravel.
Milner is angry and upset with O'Neill for suggesting that he had expressed a desire to leave during a meeting about his future before the World Cup finals. He also strongly rejected the manager's claim that he was offered a new contract with the club. Villa, however, have stood by O'Neill's interpretation of events and his comments, made during a pre-season trip to Dublin, prompted Milner to try to telephone the manager last night to seek an explanation.
There was no indication Milner had managed to get in touch with O'Neill as the situation became increasingly fraught. Milner is due to report back to Villa for pre-season training on Monday after being given an extended break following the World Cup, although the events of the past 24 hours mean that it is almost inconceivable he will join up with his team-mates at the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground.
Instead it now appears a matter of when and not if he becomes a Manchester City player. Although all the indications are that City's £24m bid will not be accepted – Villa's asking price is closer to £30m – negotiations are expected to continue with a view to a swift conclusion now it has been established Milner has no future in the Midlands. Villa are set to push for Stephen Ireland, the City midfielder who has been told he can leave the club this summer, as a makeweight in a deal.
In many ways O'Neill's remarks are likely to accelerate the process. Having previously suggested the club would do all they could to keep Milner, who was outstanding last season and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, O'Neill has publicly conceded defeat, claiming the 24-year-old had made it clear in a meeting at the end of May that he was not interested in discussing a new deal on improved terms and that he wished to leave. Milner and his representative strongly dispute this was the case and believe O'Neill has portrayed him an unfair light.
"The state of affairs is really straightforward," O'Neill said. "James and his agent came to see us before the World Cup and intimated they would like to go. If that is the case then Manchester City made the offer, which we told them about. There is a difference of valuation at this moment between the buying club and the selling club. That may well be resolved and if that is the case then absolutely fine."
"I think James's agent has told our chief executive he wouldn't be signing a new contract," O'Neill continued. "Obviously that puts a different slant on things, like everything else. Although I haven't spoken to James since that day, he has played in the World Cup and the rest really is pretty well straightforward. If a fee is agreed, at the end of the day, the player can leave. Manchester City have put a valuation on the player. It doesn't match our valuation but we will see. I am probably sure if that is the state of affairs, particularly if the player is keen to go, I am sure it will get resolved."
How things pan out between Milner and O'Neill between now and then will be of just as much interest. The Villa manager has spent much of the previous 12 months waxing lyrical about the development of the player he signed for £12m from Newcastle United in 2008, and Milner was just as effusive in his praise of O'Neill for the part he played in his promotion to the senior England team. Yet O'Neill's latest comments have left Milner so disappointed that their previously close relationship could now be fractured beyond repair.
Sky's the limit for mega-rich Manchester City as they build £500,000 pitch on roof of school
High spirits: New York schoolchildren are joined on their Manchester City-funded rooftop pitch by Pablo Zabaleta (second left)
Manchester City have spent an awful lot of money so far this summer - and not all of it has been on new players.
Yesterday, in the broiling heat of Spanish Harlem, we saw where some of the rest has gone. The PS72 Elementary School that stands on the corner of 104th Street and Lexington Avenue is not unlike many others in this deprived area of uptown Manhattan. It is large and in rudimentary physical shape.
These days, however, it boasts an astro-turf football pitch on the roof, which City put there at a cost of more than £500,000. It is 12 flights of stairs up, but for the children of PS72, the climb is worth it. Previously they had to walk 12 blocks to play their favourite sport.
School principal Tony Hernandez yesterday thanked the club, saying: 'You must realise what this means to us.
'Of the pupils who come to our school, 89 per cent of them do not have English as their first language. What's more, 88 per cent of them are Hispanic, from countries such as Mexico and Puerto Rico. Soccer is the number one pastime in those countries.
'As such, we have been dreaming about this moment for years - to have our own facility is incredible. Thank you from the bottom of our heart. This will change our pupils' lives.'
Some years ago, PS72 was sinking fast, with less than a fifth of the student body passing the standard government tests. Now that figure is above 90 per cent. City cannot take any credit for that, but clearly the money they have spent so far - and the coaching clinics and equipment they will provide in the coming months - will add to the quality of education some of Harlem's young children will receive.
Spanish-speaking City full back Pablo Zabaleta was one of five players at the opening with manager Roberto Mancini yesterday morning. The temperature hit 32C, but soon that won't matter - City intend to build a roof over the pitch, and a high wire fence around it.
Zabaleta said: 'It struck me hard when the guy told us how the kids all have to travel across New York just to play football and how this will change that. 'From my own experience in Argentina, you see poor areas and to think they can get a facility like this is fantastic.
No high shots: Students practise their shooting on the roof of the Lexington Academy
'I grew up in a small city a long way from Buenos Aires. But I suppose the best example in Argentina would be Carlos Tevez, who was born in a really poor area that has a reputation for criminals and trouble. Every time he goes back there he takes shirts and football equipment to the local people. So many players from Argentina and Brazil come from these areas and all they need is an opportunity. It is the same here in New York.
'This will help us produce the Tevezes and Robinhos of the future. Man City have the opportunity to do this. Maybe it is more difficult for other clubs who need to spend their money on players. Man City have the chance to do many things around football - it makes me very proud to be part of it.'
In safe hands: Manchester City keeper Shay Given was one of five City players at the event
City have lately grown used to criticism. They have made mistakes in the two years since they were bought by the Abu Dhabi royal family and they know it. Yet the club retain a sense of community at their heart. It seems the owners have been careful not to let this slide.
Their Community Soccer Initiative executive director Paul Jeffries alerted them to the opportunity in Harlem and City's commitment to the scheme looks genuine.
At the school yesterday, there was no shortage of emotion. No country does tears like America, of course, but it was easy to understand here.
City chief executive Garry Cook said: 'A lot is made about the money the owners have invested in the playing squad, but they very quickly recognised the work the club does in the community and were determined to take that on and invest in projects that can really make a difference to people's lives.
'Of course we want a hugely successful team on the pitch and we are working towards that. But off the pitch there is a genuine commitment and desire to give something back through football.'
Cook has not always said and done the right things during his time in English football. This season is another big one for him, as well as for Mancini's squad.
But yesterday in Harlem, City left an indelible fingerprint on a neighbourhood far from their home in East Manchester. They won't make any money from this. It won't sell them any replica shirts. In terms of image, though, it should do them the world of good.
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano will seek a move from Anfield and link up with his former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan. Daily Mail
Manchester United will offer central defender Nemanja Vidic a contract extension and pay rise to stop him joining Real Madrid this summer. The Guardian
Blackburn's attempts to re-sign out-of-favour Stoke striker James Beattie have been rebuffed. Daily Mail
Veteran defender Sol Campbell has ended speculation over his future by deciding to stay with Arsenal for another year, despite major interest from Celtic. The Sun
West Ham have dropped their asking price for striker Carlton Cole to £12m. Times - registration required
French champions Marseille are poised to offer £8m for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia. Daily Mirror
West Ham have invited Algeria World Cup goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi to join their pre-season training camp in Germany. Daily Mirror
Luke Young could leave Aston Villa for Fulham after failing to attend a pre-season training camp in Ireland. Daily Mirror
German side Schalke say they remain confident of signing veteran Real Madrid striker Raul, despite reported interest from Tottenham. (Guardian)
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan says Gary O'Neil is happy at the club but could be available if a serious offer is made, after interest from Stoke and Blackburn.Daily Star
Celtic are close to signing Israeli international midfielder Biram Kayal from Maccabi Haifa for £1.2m (Daily Record).
OTHER BOLLOX
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is back in the running to become Fulham's new boss after the club failed to appoint Ajax's Martin Jol. Guardian
Alternatively, many Fulham players want Cardiff boss Dave Jones to take over at Craven Cottage. Independent
Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone says the team should be prepared to sacrifice their principles and 'win ugly' if they have to to win more games. Daily Express
Derby players have been jumping off 40 foot cliffs into the sea as part of the pre-season team-building preparations in Dorset.Daily Mirror
Oscar-nominated screen writer Patrick Marber, who co-created legendary comedy sports reporter Alan Partridge, is part of a fans' group which has taken control of Conference South side Lewes. (Daily Telegraph)
Midfielder reacts angrily over Martin O'Neill's comments
Villa seeking higher bid plus Stephen Ireland in part-exchange
James Milner is angry at the Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill for suggesting the midfielder had wanted to quit the club.
Manchester City will make a £24m second and final offer for James Milner within the next 48 hours as they seek to push through a deal for the England international.
The proposed deal is being conducted amid considerable acrimony with the winger's relationship with the Aston Villa manager, Martin O'Neill, threatening to unravel.
Milner is angry and upset with O'Neill for suggesting that he had expressed a desire to leave during a meeting about his future before the World Cup finals. He also strongly rejected the manager's claim that he was offered a new contract with the club. Villa, however, have stood by O'Neill's interpretation of events and his comments, made during a pre-season trip to Dublin, prompted Milner to try to telephone the manager last night to seek an explanation.
There was no indication Milner had managed to get in touch with O'Neill as the situation became increasingly fraught. Milner is due to report back to Villa for pre-season training on Monday after being given an extended break following the World Cup, although the events of the past 24 hours mean that it is almost inconceivable he will join up with his team-mates at the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground.
Instead it now appears a matter of when and not if he becomes a Manchester City player. Although all the indications are that City's £24m bid will not be accepted – Villa's asking price is closer to £30m – negotiations are expected to continue with a view to a swift conclusion now it has been established Milner has no future in the Midlands. Villa are set to push for Stephen Ireland, the City midfielder who has been told he can leave the club this summer, as a makeweight in a deal.
In many ways O'Neill's remarks are likely to accelerate the process. Having previously suggested the club would do all they could to keep Milner, who was outstanding last season and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, O'Neill has publicly conceded defeat, claiming the 24-year-old had made it clear in a meeting at the end of May that he was not interested in discussing a new deal on improved terms and that he wished to leave. Milner and his representative strongly dispute this was the case and believe O'Neill has portrayed him an unfair light.
"The state of affairs is really straightforward," O'Neill said. "James and his agent came to see us before the World Cup and intimated they would like to go. If that is the case then Manchester City made the offer, which we told them about. There is a difference of valuation at this moment between the buying club and the selling club. That may well be resolved and if that is the case then absolutely fine."
"I think James's agent has told our chief executive he wouldn't be signing a new contract," O'Neill continued. "Obviously that puts a different slant on things, like everything else. Although I haven't spoken to James since that day, he has played in the World Cup and the rest really is pretty well straightforward. If a fee is agreed, at the end of the day, the player can leave. Manchester City have put a valuation on the player. It doesn't match our valuation but we will see. I am probably sure if that is the state of affairs, particularly if the player is keen to go, I am sure it will get resolved."
How things pan out between Milner and O'Neill between now and then will be of just as much interest. The Villa manager has spent much of the previous 12 months waxing lyrical about the development of the player he signed for £12m from Newcastle United in 2008, and Milner was just as effusive in his praise of O'Neill for the part he played in his promotion to the senior England team. Yet O'Neill's latest comments have left Milner so disappointed that their previously close relationship could now be fractured beyond repair.
Sky's the limit for mega-rich Manchester City as they build £500,000 pitch on roof of school
High spirits: New York schoolchildren are joined on their Manchester City-funded rooftop pitch by Pablo Zabaleta (second left)
Manchester City have spent an awful lot of money so far this summer - and not all of it has been on new players.
Yesterday, in the broiling heat of Spanish Harlem, we saw where some of the rest has gone. The PS72 Elementary School that stands on the corner of 104th Street and Lexington Avenue is not unlike many others in this deprived area of uptown Manhattan. It is large and in rudimentary physical shape.
These days, however, it boasts an astro-turf football pitch on the roof, which City put there at a cost of more than £500,000. It is 12 flights of stairs up, but for the children of PS72, the climb is worth it. Previously they had to walk 12 blocks to play their favourite sport.
School principal Tony Hernandez yesterday thanked the club, saying: 'You must realise what this means to us.
'Of the pupils who come to our school, 89 per cent of them do not have English as their first language. What's more, 88 per cent of them are Hispanic, from countries such as Mexico and Puerto Rico. Soccer is the number one pastime in those countries.
'As such, we have been dreaming about this moment for years - to have our own facility is incredible. Thank you from the bottom of our heart. This will change our pupils' lives.'
Some years ago, PS72 was sinking fast, with less than a fifth of the student body passing the standard government tests. Now that figure is above 90 per cent. City cannot take any credit for that, but clearly the money they have spent so far - and the coaching clinics and equipment they will provide in the coming months - will add to the quality of education some of Harlem's young children will receive.
Spanish-speaking City full back Pablo Zabaleta was one of five players at the opening with manager Roberto Mancini yesterday morning. The temperature hit 32C, but soon that won't matter - City intend to build a roof over the pitch, and a high wire fence around it.
Zabaleta said: 'It struck me hard when the guy told us how the kids all have to travel across New York just to play football and how this will change that. 'From my own experience in Argentina, you see poor areas and to think they can get a facility like this is fantastic.
No high shots: Students practise their shooting on the roof of the Lexington Academy
'I grew up in a small city a long way from Buenos Aires. But I suppose the best example in Argentina would be Carlos Tevez, who was born in a really poor area that has a reputation for criminals and trouble. Every time he goes back there he takes shirts and football equipment to the local people. So many players from Argentina and Brazil come from these areas and all they need is an opportunity. It is the same here in New York.
'This will help us produce the Tevezes and Robinhos of the future. Man City have the opportunity to do this. Maybe it is more difficult for other clubs who need to spend their money on players. Man City have the chance to do many things around football - it makes me very proud to be part of it.'
In safe hands: Manchester City keeper Shay Given was one of five City players at the event
City have lately grown used to criticism. They have made mistakes in the two years since they were bought by the Abu Dhabi royal family and they know it. Yet the club retain a sense of community at their heart. It seems the owners have been careful not to let this slide.
Their Community Soccer Initiative executive director Paul Jeffries alerted them to the opportunity in Harlem and City's commitment to the scheme looks genuine.
At the school yesterday, there was no shortage of emotion. No country does tears like America, of course, but it was easy to understand here.
City chief executive Garry Cook said: 'A lot is made about the money the owners have invested in the playing squad, but they very quickly recognised the work the club does in the community and were determined to take that on and invest in projects that can really make a difference to people's lives.
'Of course we want a hugely successful team on the pitch and we are working towards that. But off the pitch there is a genuine commitment and desire to give something back through football.'
Cook has not always said and done the right things during his time in English football. This season is another big one for him, as well as for Mancini's squad.
But yesterday in Harlem, City left an indelible fingerprint on a neighbourhood far from their home in East Manchester. They won't make any money from this. It won't sell them any replica shirts. In terms of image, though, it should do them the world of good.
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano will seek a move from Anfield and link up with his former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan. Daily Mail
Manchester United will offer central defender Nemanja Vidic a contract extension and pay rise to stop him joining Real Madrid this summer. The Guardian
Blackburn's attempts to re-sign out-of-favour Stoke striker James Beattie have been rebuffed. Daily Mail
Veteran defender Sol Campbell has ended speculation over his future by deciding to stay with Arsenal for another year, despite major interest from Celtic. The Sun
West Ham have dropped their asking price for striker Carlton Cole to £12m. Times - registration required
French champions Marseille are poised to offer £8m for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia. Daily Mirror
West Ham have invited Algeria World Cup goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi to join their pre-season training camp in Germany. Daily Mirror
Luke Young could leave Aston Villa for Fulham after failing to attend a pre-season training camp in Ireland. Daily Mirror
German side Schalke say they remain confident of signing veteran Real Madrid striker Raul, despite reported interest from Tottenham. (Guardian)
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan says Gary O'Neil is happy at the club but could be available if a serious offer is made, after interest from Stoke and Blackburn.Daily Star
Celtic are close to signing Israeli international midfielder Biram Kayal from Maccabi Haifa for £1.2m (Daily Record).
OTHER BOLLOX
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is back in the running to become Fulham's new boss after the club failed to appoint Ajax's Martin Jol. Guardian
Alternatively, many Fulham players want Cardiff boss Dave Jones to take over at Craven Cottage. Independent
Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone says the team should be prepared to sacrifice their principles and 'win ugly' if they have to to win more games. Daily Express
Derby players have been jumping off 40 foot cliffs into the sea as part of the pre-season team-building preparations in Dorset.Daily Mirror
Oscar-nominated screen writer Patrick Marber, who co-created legendary comedy sports reporter Alan Partridge, is part of a fans' group which has taken control of Conference South side Lewes. (Daily Telegraph)