The Daily Mirror is reporting today that James Milner is demanding a pay-rise, to secure his long-term future at Newcastle United.
 James Milner - looking for a pay rise (who isn’t?)
The England Under-21 winger wants to be part of Kevin Keegan’s plans for the future, but it’s being reported he is currently one of the lowest paid first team regulars at the Tyneside club.
We heard similar stories during the summer, and his agent wanted to renegotiate the Leeds-born player’s contract. Milner did sign an extended four year deal less than a year ago, but his agent is reported to have approached the Tyneside club for talks, a couple of months ago.
James holds the record for the most number of England Under-21 appearances (36 and counting), but has yet to win his first full England cap, and he played in 32 games for Newcastle last season.
Newcastle’s wish to cut their £72M wage bill, and tighten the financial strings at the club, will put his contract negotiations on hold a little, until later this summer.
A source close to James said:
“James is just after parity with other players.”
“He has spent time one on one with Kevin Keegan and is excited by working with him.”
“He loves the place and doesn’t want to leave but there are market values.”
We don’t think this news is very alarming, but James may have to be a little patient while the club completes delicate contract negotiations with Steve Harper and captain Michael Owen.
If he is one of the lowest paid first teamers at the club, he should be given an improved contract - similar to the one young Steven Taylor was given a couple of weeks back. As it turns out, both players were born in January 1986, with James 19 days older than Steven.
The Newcastle club have had no problems in giving good deals to those players that produce at the club, and James fits into that category.
Young Milner will get a lot better playing under Kevin Keegan, and he already seems to know that - a sensible lad indeed.
It’s also pleasing James wants to stay at the club, and be part of Keegan’s revival, that hopefully will bring Newcastle United back from the wilderness, as a major force again in English football.
We are all hoping (and praying) that will be the case in the next couple of seasons, but it will not be easy, given how much the club has fallen back in the last couple of seasons.
We think James is a great lad to have at the club.
Comments welcome.
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92 responses so far ↓
1 AndyNUFC // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:48
If Taylor gets a new contract, then Milner should.
2 queen // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:50
His low wages reflect his lack of ability in my opinion. He can easily be replaced.
3 Mac // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:52
Keep the wage bill down and cash in on milner. No end product. We could easily replace Milner fo less money. If we ever get a bid of around 7 million i say take it and take it now
4 Matt // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:54
The club won’t give Milner a new contract because -
(a) He doesn’t deserve one
(b)He’s still got 3 years left on his current deal that he signed 12 months ago
5 Greek Toon // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:54
He has signed a contract a year ago. A deal is a deal. He isn’t that good anyway.
6 Danish_Magpie // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:55
Extend his contract. Young, English, talented, versatile. Will develop nicely under Keegan. Don’t pay him silly money, but extend his contract and give him a bit of a pay-rise as well.
7 Eyeball // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:55
I agree he should be getting more money, I mean jesus if Alan Smith, Jailbird Barton and Duff are on 50-60 a week Milner should be getting at least 90k hahaha(joking)
But he does bring alot more to the table then some of the crap we have at the club!!
8 Staffsmag // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:58
Put him on the bonus scheme that they are offering to Owen etc. make him show he deserves the extra. I like the lad but feel its now time he started to deliver !!!! Howay the lads
9 Matt // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:01
Offering more than the likes of Duff and Smith do to the team should be the reason to get rid of the big earners that don’t perform, not give an average player more money just so he doesn’t feel left out.
No wonder the club is financially in the shit with that way of thinking.
10 WesToon // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:02
@ Eyeball…well said mate,If those players get 50-60k a week,milner,simply by the amount of effort and desire he puts in,should be on something similar to as Eyeball put it” Jailbird Barton” No doubt
11 mattyh // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:02
fair enough demand…
staffsmag has it i reckon put the whole bunch on performance related contracts..
who knows smith might actually score..
12 Matt // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:05
10 WesToon // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:02
@ Eyeball…well said mate,If those players get 50-60k a week,milner,simply by the amount of effort and desire he puts in,should be on something similar to as Eyeball put it†Jailbird Barton†No doubt
——————–
And people wonder how we ended up with the 5th highest wage bill in the league with an average squad to show for it.
13 Davies // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:06
Queen, is your name anything to do with Dancing Queen, as in Abba and Fernando?
Hello again mate. How are you? How are things going for Spurs in the transfer window?
Looks like we’re getting things moving.
Anyhoo, I think Milner should just wait his turn. He’s getting about £30K a week, which is more than any of us here are getting, and he’s only 22.
14 Yellow Belly // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:07
This year will be his year if he wants it! keegan will give him the oppotunity its up to him what he does with it. I would wait until next year or maybe January to see if he can step upto that next level that we all want
15 The Entertainers // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:11
Hang on where does this end.
Milner is a player i like and want to keep at the club.
BUT…… when he signed his contract, he signed it freely and knowning what he was signing to. Now all of a sudden Taylor has got slightly better terms, so he wants another new contract.
Ok give him it, does that mean we’ll have Taylor banging on the door next month demanding an upgrade?…….Hang on Guthrie beens here 5 minutes doesnt he deserve improved conditions.
The tea lady has been here years, get her on a bonus scheme, the more kit-kats she can snatch out of The Dukes mitts at half time the more she earns !
…..i digress. Point made. I think?
16 natedawg // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:14
i thought the reason taylor wanted better wages was cause milner and zog where on more ? could this turn in to a never ending circle?
17 geordie in taipei // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:15
Im not buying this article. If he was closer to the end of his contract then i may believe it but he’s just signed a new one. And Natedawg is right, Taylor wanted parity with them.
18 Frankieboy // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:21
Taylor was near end of current contract Milner is not.
Should not even be discissed at this time.
This is just an agent stirring things up as per I reckon
19 Oga // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:21
Hopefully Villa are stupid enough to pay big money for this average player. Would use some of the funds to buy Giles Barnes.
20 John // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:21
the difference with taylor and milner is that Taylor had a year to go and milner has 3…No rush for milner…
Lets see how he doe’s this year..Let him earn the money not just give it to him because liverpool were after him.. For me , he’s average player that in this day and age is worth 20 grand a week and not a penny more..
If he chips in with 15 assists and 10 goals this year stick another 10 grand on top
21 valle // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:21
This is just insane, Barton, Duff and Smith are overpaid as it is so Milner should be too?… No way he is worth 50-60k a week.
22 toonfan1 // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:23
de jong not interested in move. on setanta site
23 ObaFan2 // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:23
Davies, why invite comment from abusive non Toon fans? plz do not.
I think this is just paper talk stirring again…. a source close to the player…….. learn to cross and supply and the money will follow imo.
24 John // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:24
de jong is’nt coming
http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/07/16/Bundesliga-De-Jong-on-Newcastle/
25 queen // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:25
adebayor is only on 35k at arsenal, so how can milner be worth similar? If he can find a team stupid enough to pay 10mill and pay big wages for him i would say get rid.
26 Kash2 // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:27
Milner does not deserve a new contract. He got one a year ago and is now level with N’Zogbia and Taylor. They’re the highest paid players under the age of 22.
Give him a new contract by the end of the season if he does the following:
1) Doesn’t give the ball away so much by playing rubbish passes
2) Manages to contribute to the team by holding onto the ball when switching from defence to attack.
3) Is able to impose his presence on the pitch and be an attacking force for the TOON.
4) Improve the quality of his final ball with at least 7 assists in the coming season
5) Improve his goal tally and score at least 7 goals this season.
If he does all of those things then I would put him on a better contract. If he doesn’t then, TOUGH LUCK!
27 JOeT // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:28
want aimar
would be happy with de jong although wary of his height (one thing we’ve been lacking for seasons, along with a defense) and would prefer INLER, or maybe go for a cheeky punt for Diaby or Song from arsenal
cuellar would be good, but would again prefer an alternative - being collocini! However based on keegans comments towards the end of last season about the SPL and what it has too offer think its more likely to be cueller esp as there trying to sign danny shit-horse as a possible replacement
Dont think there is any great necessity to sign a left back as it may just confuse matters, and disrupt cetain players, although i would have been v happy with bridge! Think we will look to counter this problematic area with bassong, as we could give him the opportunity to fight for both a LB or CB position or even just buy a center half who can fill in at LB………dare i Say it…..O’Shea
as for up front either the young swiss guy from Basel who we’ve been linked with or the french guy (both of which im not even gonna attempt to spell)
so thats
1 CM
1 DM
1 CB/LB
1 CB
1 Striker
get on the phone Kev and realise what we’re missing….this will be one of the toughest seasons this club has ever encountered!!!
Howay the lads
28 queen // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:29
De jong isnt coming……..Good job everyone hasnt been punching the air with excitement and acting as though it was a done deal. Things are definatly moving Davies.
29 Ross // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:30
was quite confident dejong wouldnt be coming to us to be honest. Ed’s last article claimed that the only thing we had to sort out was personal terms which to be honest is rather ridiculous, dunno where that came from after the sun merely claimed we were interested in him. nothing of any credibility in that one at all.
As for milner, he deserves what ever taylor is getting to be honest, however neither are that great. he signed a contract a year ago and was happy, why is he now demanding more? because his name has been linked with other clubs? fair enough he gives 110% but he still needs to learn to cross a ball.
30 Tom_Toon // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:31
John and Queen - That means nothing at all, he an important player for Hamburg and when asked by the Hamubrg press he isnt going to say: ‘Yes, im going to Newcastle’ or ‘Im leaving’ is he.
How many times have we seen players say things like that and sign for a new club in he coming days, lots of times!
31 Ericles // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:32
Another Mirror destabilisation story. Let them pay his wages.
32 queen // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:35
It was a no goer anyway. 3mill for a young internatioal. no chance.
33 Ross // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:36
JOeT-i think the shittu deal to rangers has fallen through, or thats what all the papers up here are saying anyway. he demanded 20k a week or something and rangers just werent willing to pay it, or couldnt afford it, one of the two.
i think they’ll do everything they can to keep cuellar, he was brilliant for them last season. they’ll want quite the price packet for him if they’re forced to let him go.
34 Kash2 // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:38
@Queen: £3m does seem little considering Engelaar moved to Schalke for £4m. I reckon a fee of around £6m is more likely!
35 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:40
Ericles i think you are on to something there
36 Kash2 // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:40
@Ross G: I really hope you’re right and Cueller stays in Weegy land. I don’t think he’s the player we need. We’ve already got Faye, who has EPL experience, who’s also dominant in the air.
WE NEED A FOOTBALLING CB!!!! SOMEONE LIKE PEPE, ANY SUGGESTIONS TOM_TOON?
37 Tom_Toon // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:47
Daivd Luiz
Coloccini
38 m. // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:47
CB? someone from a big team who isn’t getting too much first-team football. how is Squillaci in Lyon, or Naldo in Bremen?
39 Tom_Toon // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:50
Squillaci has gone to Sevilla and Bremen will NOT sell Naldo.
40 ToonTimbo // Jul 16, 2008 at 13:53
Has anyone heard anthing about matias fernandez because someone on another blog was talking us being interested in him him but i cant find anything!!
41 Obafan // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:00
Milner is average and should not get a better deal. The club should have taken the £9m and should have sold him to Liverpool. We could use that money to get a better RW.
42 jack lockhart // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:01
i think this story is just a load of bull which has been spouted out by the media to make it look like yet another newcastle player is unsettled, cumon, cant you think of anyone else to take the piss out of, i know you dont like us that much but why dont you just keep that to yourself
43 Mark // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:11
@TOON TIMBO
I have read that on a few websites but can’t find it written in the press anywhere.
Would love it to happen though
Has anyone else heard about us signing Matias Fernandez of Villareal?
44 HonoraryGeordie // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:14
What about Metzelder? He’s at Real Madrid I think, and as far as I know he is about 4th choice CB? And we seem to be looking in the spanish leagues quite a bit?
45 Tom_Toon // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:16
The words ‘ball playing’ and Metzelder dont go togeter.
He is slow and has no skill at all.
46 HonoraryGeordie // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:21
haha fair point, but he can read the game, and seemed to have a fair bit of authority?!
47 Nick Dryden // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:21
You never know how much truth there is in these things but if true, we should have snapped Liverpools’ hands off for Guthrie, Insua and Hobbs + 7M for Milner.
I am much more concerned about the Krul to Chelsea rumour. I would have Krul ahead of Harper and Given. The only decent signing Souness made.
48 ToonTimbo // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:23
Have you got any links Mark!! I seriously couldnt find anything apart some good videos on youtube ;)!!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2935e_matias-fernandez-matigol_sport
some of his free kicks and runs are amazing!!
49 natedawg // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:24
just read the de jong quotes, sounds very reminiscent of one henry when asked about a move to Barcelona lol
50 ToonTimbo // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:25
Owen was quite a good signing aswell Nick - but yea i agree that it would be a real shame in Krul left!!
51 HonoraryGeordie // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:27
JOeT - good call with Diaby, doubt they’d let him go, but he is class. I have always liked him, and also big Papa Diop, both would help us to grab hold of games when passing round them doesn’t work!
52 DC Magpie // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:27
nothing on matias today boys.
cheer up by watching this video of aimar in action
http://www.rivals.net/news/pgarticle.aspx?artid=13498_3825046&id=55
53 Mark // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:28
It has just been on sites like this etc.
Nick Dryden mentioned it on here earlier today. Apart from that it is in the comments attached to a couple of his you tube videos and it has been mentioned on football-rumours.com on a couple of occasions.
Just living in hope that its true really.
54 Ashton // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:30
We don’t need him any more , sell him asap
55 Hadji // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:38
Sell him for 7mill and add 3 mill to that and go for Matias Fernandez.
56 Ian // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:39
Milner just started scoring then he was either moved about or not played.
Looking at the current signings I think Milner is good, i would keep him and see where he is at the end of next season.
I wished they never started with this wages crap, i think they have created more problems than they solved, all of the lower income players have been alerted to how much less they are on than others, this all looks like trouble to me and we still dont have some key players secured.
57 harrier // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:45
Steven Taylor and I share the same birthday
58 Seymour Butts // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:46
well the old transfer action sure has gone into overdrive…
59 Kash2 // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:46
@ Hadji - I’d take that if Fernandez is as good as he sounds!!!!
It’s funny how one person suggests a player, and how that player makes the rounds on all the other fans websites!!!
60 ToonTimbo // Jul 16, 2008 at 14:55
MATIAS FERNANDEZ!! No truth in the story BUT PLEASE!!
61 DC Magpie // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:00
“Matigol” would cost a lot more than 10M but he would set this league on fire.
62 DC Magpie // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:03
All I said was “whispers” nothing printed, no links, just people talking…the rumor is he’s KK’s first choice signing…and hopefully MA’s first big signing!
Not heard this about Krul?…but I doubt we’d be foolish enough to let him go.
63 Punk Skunk // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:07
Harrier, i have the ‘Honour’ of sharing my birthday with the ‘Legend’ that is …Wait for it…
…’WOR JACKIE!’..
…I was lovin’ findin’ that out!..
64 ende // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:10
I say politely decline for now but revisit the issue in January. He’s got a lot to prove this season.
65 queen // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:13
i share my birthday with
wait for it…..
Faye tozer from steps!
I creamed myself when i found that out!
66 Kash2 // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:15
@Queen: Is he a bloke?
67 geordiegraham // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:18
i share mine with robbie keane thank god it wasnt royston dog wankin keane.a nearly messed me kegs i seen the keane then was relieved wen it sed robbie
68 greg // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:25
increased level of performance, then maybe increase level of salary?
69 marat18 // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:25
well, Given shares his BD with me
70 Ross // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:26
so much for aimar apparently signing today then? haha
71 Greek Toon // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:40
I share my birthday with Maria Sharapova..Corrr
72 sirjasontoon // Jul 16, 2008 at 15:58
Jimmy Reminds many of so many young players that have not really blossomed at the highest level.
Sorry Jimmy if you learn to cross a ball and score more goals then fair enough but at present he is not really worth more money.
I can’t see this happening anyday soon though.
73 Ross // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:04
things might be moving slowly for us but at least the mackems are providing a laugh.
they’re trying to sign some lad from cork city. sundireland is getting beyond a joke now,hahah.
74 toonfan1 // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:23
i share my bday with solari, defoe, hyypia and gilberto. beat that
75 Geordie Nick // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:29
well i share mine with the one and only big al
76 Geordie Nick // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:29
think i just have beat urs toonfan
77 tapir // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:30
another day of dissapointment..hmmmm
no signing…….
78 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:35
Guys what do you think of this??
community.footballspool.com/blog/2008/07/16/humberto-suazo-the-chilean-striking-sensation-chased-by-spurs-newcastle-arsenal-man-city-aston-villa-blackburn-sunderland-should-take-note/
79 tapir // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:37
hate prawn
i think agent tactic to hike up his price!
80 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:44
His stats and the article sound good though!!
81 tapir // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:46
ya but MA is more interested in his age and price though!
82 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:56
his age 27! which in those terms isn’t old and his transfer fee would be lower as dollars $ are half to sterling £ so for arguement sake £6million = $12million I would cert have a look!!
83 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 16, 2008 at 16:59
Plus I would hire Solano to be our South American Scouting manager based in london??
what do you guys think??
84 ObaFan2 // Jul 16, 2008 at 17:09
Been mentioned b4 HPR and I think it’d be a good idea. He’d be a great ambassador for NUFC especially in Sth America.
85 AndyNUFC // Jul 16, 2008 at 17:10
HPS Solano hasn’t even retired yet you nakka.
86 ObaFan2 // Jul 16, 2008 at 17:12
One thing people haven’t seemed to mention about our new Argentinian/s is similar to the battle Sir BR had with Solano about the long haul trips playing for their country….
87 ToonPhill // Jul 16, 2008 at 17:19
john berisford shares my bday
88 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 16, 2008 at 17:25
AndyNUFC - He was released by wetham and at present hasn’t got a new club + he’s no spring chicken! Nakka!!
89 Dan13 // Jul 16, 2008 at 18:20
i share mine with Alan Shearer
13th August
90 Influence raghav // Jul 16, 2008 at 18:23
fire him along wid mike ashley.we dont need them both.they are party spoilers n both dont have end product or any quality
91 Leo // Jul 16, 2008 at 18:49
i thought he already had parity? who knows these days
92 brian // Jul 16, 2008 at 22:31
the wages of smith & duff are mistakes and shouldn’t be used as measuring sticks for other players. that’s ridiculous.
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