James Milner sets deadline for Manchester City and Everton want Craig Bellamy
As the transfer window draws to a close, there are still a number of players pushing for moves.
One of these players is Aston Villa’s James Milner, who has given Manchester City an ultimatum over signing him. City have been trying to get Milner all summer and , as time is running out, Milner is becoming frustrated and is beginning to question how keen City really are to sign him. They have been given 24 hours to make the transfer, otherwise the deal will be off.
Milner is prepared to travel to Vienna for Aston Villa’s Europa League qualifier against Rapid Vienna on Thursday night, and should he play, he will be cup-tied in Europe if he were to move to Eastlands. Aston Villa caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald has also been told to play Milner in their European match.
The transfer is being held up because of City’s Stephen Ireland, who would be used in a part-exchange, demanding a £2million pay-off from his contract, which has less than four years to run. The sticking point of the move could be the price of Milner. Villa want around £30million, but City are not willing to pay that.
In other transfer news, current Man City player Robinho could be sold to German side Schalke 04. The Brazilian was out on loan last season at Santos, and Man City boss Roberto Mancini is looking to offload the Premier League’s most expensive recruit. Turkish club Fenerbahçe are also considering signing Robinho as well.
One player who is certain to leave Manchester City is Craig Bellamy. The Welshman was banned by his club yesterday and told to stay away from the training ground, but in a turn of events he will now return to training. Everton are set to make an offer for Bellamy and bring him to Goodison Park, snatching him from the likes of Cardiff City, Fulham, Celtic and Sunderland.
Shay Given, who has been told he will be the No.2 choice keeper at Man City, will be offered a pay-rise to ward off the interest of other clubs, including Arsenal and Fulham. Meanwhile, Arsenal want to complete the signing of Fulham shot-stopper Mark Schwarzer before the weekend for around £2.5million. The transfer would see current Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia leave the club after six years in north London.
Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas could make a £10million switch to Italian giants Juventus, but Galatasaray, Sampdoria and AC Milan hope to bring in the England player who was left out of the starting line-up for Tottenham on Saturday.
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hopes Javier Mascherano will stay at Anfield after playing against Arsenal last Sunday, while Chelsea target Neymar will decide whether he wants to move to the Premier League champions in a £24million move.
Newcastle United are targeting Leroy Fer of Feyenoord, while Stoke City will go for Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega for £9million. West Ham’s Valon Behrami wants to go to Roma, and Etienne Esajas is on trial at Scottish champions Rangers.
Hull City will attempt to bring in Ross McCormack of Cardiff and Jay Simpson of Arsenal to the KC Stadium. Leeds United manager Simon Grayson wants to bring Darius Vassel to Elland Road, and Blackpool manager Ian Holloway hopes he can attract players to the club after their amazing 4-0 win over Wigan at the weekend.
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