Villa - Milner wants out
O'Neill prepared to cash in on winger if the price is right
Last updated: 22nd July 2010
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has revealed that he is prepared to sell James Milner, if the price is right.
The England international has been the subject of interest from Manchester City this summer, with the Blues having already seen one bid knocked back.
They made their move prior to the World Cup finals, hoping they could put a deal in place before the player turned his attention to events in South Africa.
Villa made it clear on that occasion that the fee involved fell some way short of their valuation and Milner headed off for international duty with his future hanging in the balance.
City, though, have refused to back down and continue to monitor the situation closely.
It is obvious that the 24-year-old has had his head turned, with City's ambitions to become a force at home and abroad well documented.
Contract
Milner has made it clear that he would welcome the opportunity to complete a switch to Eastlands, with Villa's latest offer of a new deal turned down point blank.
That contract would have made him the highest paid player in the club's history, but money is no longer an issue.
Villa have now been forced to begrudgingly accept that Milner is looking to move on and they are bracing themselves for a second bid from City.
O'Neill will hold out for the best possible price for one of his prized assets, but has told Sky Sports News that he is ready to cash in.
It is believed that an offer of around £30million would be enough for Villa to back down.
Bringing in such a sizeable fee would also allow O'Neill to pump some of that cash back into his squad, with a replacement for Milner set to top his shopping list.
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