Looks like James Milner fancies a bit of a change, and has tossed a transfer request the way of his manager Kevin Keegan – and just after he sang his praises too. With the transfer window closing on Monday it seems that Milner fancies a quickie divorce from the Toon Army…
Milner’s unrest could prove to be the tipping point for players like little Mickey Owen that Keegan is trying to convince to stay.
Kevin Keegan’s disquiet at Newcastle’s failure to secure the long-term futures of some of the club’s key personnel has proved well-founded after the club confirmed that James Milner has submitted a transfer request. Milner’s desire to leave for Aston Villa is likely to feature high on the agenda when Keegan holds a scheduled summit meeting today with Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, about the club’s future direction.
“Newcastle United can confirm that it has received a written transfer request from James Milner,” read a club statement. “The club is very disappointed that James sees his footballing future as being away from St James’ Park. He is a valued member of the squad and it is only a year ago that he signed an improved long-term contract.
“We have yet to receive an offer for James that has matched our valuation of him. However, should such an offer be received then the club would be reluctantly forced to consider it, given James’ apparent desire to leave.” (The Guardian)
So will Jimmy Miller’s transfer request open the floodgates, or will Newcastle stick their collective heads in the sand and ignore it until Tuesday, by which time – unfortunately – the transfer window will have slammed shut…