Football Transfer Rumours: James Milner for Manchester City, Fernando Torres for Chelsea?
Like every year, the summer transfer window heats things up, and this year is no different: some of the top players have left their respective clubs to take up new challenges, whilst others are currently debating a move, as rumour mills continue to churn.
Let’s start off the with the highly rated Aston Villa midfielder, James Milner. The 24 year old has been strongly linked to a move to Manchester City, who fancies the 2010 PFA Young Player of the Year. The manager of Aston Villa, Martin O’Neill, has claimed that the player himself has voiced his eagerness to join the Eastlands. The player, however, denied any such claims, and is reported to have had some harmonious talks with the manager on Monday. Milner would want to hold on to his horses and think this through, as apart from Manchester City, there is no other club currently interested in the services of the player.
City are expected to make one final offer of 24 million pounds for Milner, as manager Roberto Mancini confirmed that he values the player at the stated amount, and doesn’t want to be tricked into paying more. Villa have already rejected a 20 million pound offer from City, and Milner has resumed full training on Monday. Aston Villa, on the other hand, wants City midfielder Stephen Ireland, but English International Shaun Wright-Phillips is most likely set to play at Villa Park. Currently, both clubs are yet to compromise on any terms and there is a stalemate (regarding Milner). However, City may well give the player up if Aston Villa doesn’t lower the price, and Villa would then have to keep the player. Aston Villa expects to spend the Milner transfer cash on buying new players, and if that is not available, Villa would need to ask for loans. Milner hugely impressed everyone last season, scoring 12 goals in 47 appearances for Villa.
Moving on, Liverpool had one of the most disastrous seasons, as they dropped down from Premier League runners-up to Premier League failures, finishing 7th in the 2009-2010 season. They were behind ‘lesser’ clubs Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. Owing to the failure, Spanish striker Fernando Torres was rumoured to a move away from Anfield this season. The player had a troubled 2010 World Cup campaign, as he failed to score a single goal despite featuring in every single match of Spain’s World Cup winning campaign. El Nino was seen withering in pain on the field in the dying moments of the final match against the Netherlands.
There has been much speculation surrounding the player, and he is yet to commit his future with the Reds. Roy Hodgson replaced the sacked Rafael Benitez at Anfield, and aims to hold on to his top players. The manager has already lost Javier Mascherano, who has expressed his desire to leave the club. Hodgson looks to secure Torres as well as Captain Steven Gerrard, who are the most important players at the club. The manager confirmed that despite having several meetings with the player, there is less than can be done to convince El Nino. The player is perhaps unhappy with the false claims of bolstering the squad by adding new players. Since Hodgson’s arrival, Joe Cole and Milan Jovanovic have inked deals with the club, and Club Captain Steven Gerrard has also committed his loyalty to the club. However, Torres is still unhappy, and the fact that rivals Manchester City and Chelsea are interested in the striker doesn’t help things much.
Chelsea have reportedly offered 50 million pounds for Torres, but Liverpool expect 70 million for the Spanish wunderkind. Nothing, however, can be said regarding the player, as the manager claims the player is looking forward to coming back and training with the Reds. Since joining Liverpool back in 2007, Torres has scored 72 times in 116 appearances. The 26 year olds’ presence for the Merseyside team has been phenomenal, and he has been the saviour of the club. For the time being, Torres is likely to stay, but with clubs like Manchester City and double winners Chelsea lurking around, one can expect anything.
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