James Milner moved closer to joining Manchester City last night after declaring he was uncertain of his future at Aston Villa and driven by a desire to win trophies.
On a day when Villa rejected a £20million bid for Milner from big-spending City, the 24-year-old declined the invitation to commit his future to his current club.
Asked if he would still be a Villa player next season, he said: ‘I don’t know.’ He then gave further encouragement to City — believed to be preparing an increased offer — when he said his chief ambition was to end his career with a room full of silverware.
Eyes on the ball: Milner training in Austria with the rest of the England squad
‘That’s what I’m in football to do,’ he said. ‘To win trophies. That’s my No 1 aim for club and country. When I finish my career, I want to be able to go into my trophy room and see winner’s medals. I want to be as successful as I can be. We came close twice with Villa this season.’
Villa are willing to bring forward talks with Milner over a potential new contract, in a bid to ward off City’s interest. Owner Randy Lerner insisted only last week that the club would wait until after the World Cup in South Africa before opening negotiations.
But now they are prepared to speak to the midfielder before he jets off with England.
Villa have a two-day window of opportunity after England’s friendly in Graz against Japan on May 30 in which to discuss an improved deal.
However, speaking at England’s training camp in Austria, Milner said the situation might not be resolved until after the World Cup.
Race against time: Milner could fill Barry's boots if the midfielder doesn't recover in time for the World Cup
‘I was concentrating on Villa and I am now concentrating on England,’ he said. ‘I’m here to stake as good a claim as I can to get on the plane to the World Cup.
‘When I finished the season at Villa, I said we’d discuss it after the World Cup. I have enjoyed my time at Villa. It’s a great club to be at. We are moving forward in the right direction. We’ve had a good season. We finished with a higher points total than last year in the League.’
City midfielder Gareth Barry, meanwhile, insists treatment on his ankle is going well and he is hopeful of making the cut for South Africa.
Barry said: ‘I’ve been having regular sessions with the medical staff at Carrington and they are pleased with how things are going.
‘I’m feeling positive still and the medical staff are being brilliant — they are doing everything they can to help me.’
Robinho hoping to extend Santos loan
Robinho has revealed his desire to extend his loan stay with Santos rather than return to Manchester City for the start of the new Premier League season.
The Brazil star, who remains a British transfer record £32.5million signing from Real Madrid back in August 2008, was loaned to his former club in January.
Robinho was allowed to leave Eastlands after struggling with injury and a loss of form during the first half of his second season in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old forward has been transformed during his time back in Brazilian football where he has scored six goals in 11 appearances.
Robinho helped book Santos' place in the Brazilian cup final with the winner in a semi-final victory over Gremio.
However, he is scheduled to miss the second leg of the final against Vitoria in early August as his loan deal is set to expire.
The World Cup-bound frontman is due back in Manchester for the start of the new season but is hoping his loan deal can be extended.
"I will return to Brazil after the World Cup and, God willing, I will stay to play in the Copa Libertadores (in 2011)," he said.
And Villa's resolve to keep Milner is set to be tested by Manchester City, who offered £30m for him after having a £20m bid rejected.Daily Mirror
That improved offer may not be enough for City, though, as Chelsea have joined the race for Milner and they believe the lure of Champions League football could prove decisive. The Sun
Legend Mike Summerbee launches Manchester City cab fleet
The fleet of five cabs will give fans a taster of the huge overhaul underway at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The fleet of five cabs will give fans a taster of the huge overhaul underway at the City of Manchester Stadium.
They will publicise a £1m investment in hospitality at the stadium which bosses claim will make it the best in the Premier League.
City favourite Summerbee took to the wheel of one of the hackney cabs before they hit the streets of Manchester this week.
He said: “Just like the stadium, the taxis have been given a true blue overhaul which we hope passengers will enjoy. City offers an unrivalled hospitality experience and the work completed over the summer will ensure it remains top of the Premier League.”
Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure will not be arriving at the Emirates stadium after refusing to consider the move, leaving Manchester City favourites to sign him.footylatest.com
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery will stay at the German club for another four years, extending his contract until 2015, according to German newspaper Bild. Bild
Villa could also lose forward Ashley Young to Tottenham who are ready to offer Robbie Keane or Jermaine Jenas as part of a deal for him. Daily Star
Spurs face competition for Young from Manchester city, who enquired about his availability at the same time they asked about Milner. The Guardian
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is so fed up with boss Rafael Benitez he is ready to walk out if he gets the right offer. Daily Mail
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has his eye on Real Madrid's Brazilian superstar striker Kaka. Footylatest.com
West Ham have been linked with an ambitious £12m swoop for World Cup-bound Toulouse forward Andre-Pierre Gignac.Caughtoffside.com
But the Hammers looks set to lose midfielder Valon Behrami, who is a £5m target for Italian side Palermo. The Sun
Behrami is also attracting the interest of Liverpool, who will use Yossi Benayoun as bait to help land him and defender Matthew Upson. Caughtoffside.com
Manchester United are considering an £18m move for Sevilla's Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano. Caughtoffside.com
Meanwhile Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is being tracked by Juventus, AC Milan and Wolfsburg.: Daily Mail
Arsenal are poised to make a £16m raid for Marseille midfielder Stephane Mbia. The Daily Mail
The Gunners are also lining up Everton's Mikel Arteta as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas in the event that he joins Barcelona. footylatest.com
Fabregas could be unveiled as a Barcelona player on 4 June or 9 June. imscouting.com
And Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is another who looks set to snub Arsenal, saying he is committed to the Italian side. imscouting.com
Everton hope to tie down midfielder Jack Rodwell to a new deal and ward of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United. Daily Mirror
Atletico Madrid have issued a hands-off warning to Manchester United over their Argentine forward Sergio Aguero. imscouting.com
Aston Villa are eyeing up a season-long loan deal for striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who has returned to Monaco after the end of his loan spell at Tottenham. The Sun
Villa boss Martin O'Neill is also ready to offer £15m for West Ham striker Carlton Cole. caughtoffisde.com
That could signal the end of Emile Heskey's stay at Villa Park, with Stoke ready to move for the England man. The Daily Mail
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is keen to bring 32-year old Real Madrid striker Raul to Anfield. The Daily Mail
David Nugent, Kevin Prince Boateng and Nadir Belhadj are set to follow Avram Grant out of Portsmouth. The Daily Mail
Newcastle are planning a £5m bid to take Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas back to St James' Park. The Sun
Toon boss Chris Hughton also wants Porto forward Andre Monteiro but has had a £2m offer rejected. The Sun
Wigan are interested in £5m-rated Spanish striker Adrian Colunga, who plays for Recreativo Huelva. The Sun
West Brom are targeting Racing Santander striker Mohamed Tchite. The Daily Mail
Sunderland are lining up a £4m bid for Stoke striker Tuncay. Various
Sampdoria defender Reto Ziegler is being lined up for a Premier League return as Liverpool eye the former Spurs man. The Daily Mail
Birmingham are set to spend £2m to sign Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd. Various
Crystal Palace skipper Shaun Derry is set to join Ipswich. Daily Mirror
Preston and Derby are locked in a battle to sign Wayne Rooney's younger brother, John, who plays as striker for Macclesfield. (Various)
Ex-Arsenal winger and France international Robert Pires, whose deal at Villarreal has run out, has turned down MLS side Philadelphia Union. Various
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has raised doubts over his future after refusing to rule out a move to Inter Milan. The Sun
Avram Grant is set to take over as Wet Ham Manager after resigning at Portsmouth. Daily Mirror
Pompey, meanwhile, are considering offering their vacant manager's position to goalkeeper David James. Daily Star
New sports minister, Hugh Robertson has warned the Football Association that its new chairman must be independent.The Daily Telegraph
Argentina coach Diego Maradona insulted an injured cameraman after accidentally running over his leg before the announcement of his World Cup squad.The Guardian
Liverpool's first signing of the summer could be a Vietnamese reality TV show star - the winner of the talent contest will win a 12-month deal at Anfield after next week's final.Daily Mirror
