The Newcastle United Blog

News, Views and Comment On Newcastle United Football Club By Ed Harrison, A Proud Geordie And Lifelong Fan

The Newcastle United Blog header image 2




-->



Milner Felt Undervalued - Pays Tribute To Keegan

August 29th, 2008 · 1,048 Comments

James Milner completed a reported £12M move to Aston Villa today, and said he always felt undervalued at Newcastle.



James Milner felt undervalued at Newcastle
- pays tribute to Keegan

One word on the fee, £12M is probably the highest amount reported, and it varies anywhere from £9M to £12M with Newcastle getting 80% of the fee, and Leeds, who had a sell-on clause with James, getting 20%.

Milner became frustrated at Newcastle’s failure to offer him a new contract over the summer, which was continually being reported in the press, which James felt would better reflect his worth to the club.

In order to try to push the situation James handed in a transfer request last week, but Newcastle seem to have basically granted the transfer, and no contract negotiations ever took place over the last 10 days.

Villa moved swiftly to agree a fee for the England Under-21 winger, who has now signed a four-year contract which ties him to Villa until the end of the 2011-2012 campaign. But he was tied to Newcastle until 2011 yesterday.

Milner spent the 2005-2006 season on loan at Villa from Newcastle and came close to signing for them in August 2006 before Newcastle pulled the plug, at the very last minute, which was hardly the way to treat a 20 year old.

Milner said after signing for Villa today:

“I enjoyed every minute at Newcastle. It was a fantastic club. I enjoyed working with the manager and they are a great bunch of lads.”

“But I knew offers had come in over the summer and the club had turned them down and the valuation of me wasn’t reflected in the deal I was on.”

“Speaking to them, I felt it was the right thing to put in a transfer request to show how I felt, seeing as they didn’t think they were on the same wavelength as me and they then made the decision to sell me.”

“It was Newcastle’s decision and now I am at Aston Villa. A new contract was never discussed. That was a source of frustration.”

“I nearly signed two years ago. That was a tough time for me and Villa as well. It obviously threw their plans into turmoil. That was a tough time.”

“You learn from that and you move on and, two years later, I am sure I am a stronger character and a better player for those experiences.”

“The fee had been agreed. I came down here to the training ground and got into the manager’s office and he said he had a phone call to say Newcastle had changed their mind.”

“At first I didn’t know if it was the manager’s humor and whether he was joking with me but it wasn’t a joke. That is in the past and it is how you react to those sort of things.”

“The best way I know is to get my head down and work hard. I went back to Newcastle and did as well as I could.”

Milner then paid tribute to the Newcastle manager, Kevin Keegan:

“He has been fantastic with me all the way through. I had a great relationship with him, learnt a lot and wish him every luck.”

“We talked a few times and last night, once the fee had been agreed, he wished me every luck in the world and that is it basically.”

“Things change quickly in football. All I know is the offer has been accepted and I’m a Villa player now and the Newcastle chapter is ended.”

James is such a mature man for his age, and he was one of our favorite players at Newcastle.

But James has been class right to the end, and we can tell Aston Villa fans, that not only are they getting a very good 22 year-old player, but he’s most of all - a fantastic lad.

We wish James all the best at Villa.

Comments welcome.

Tags: Contracts · Newcastle News · Transfer News and Rumours




-->

1,048 responses so far ↓

  • 1 ELFER // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:23

    Can we now close this milner stories? I’m fed up, he was class but is already gone. Good luck and bye bye - end of story.

    Now bring the really important stories about our signings!!

  • 2 35yrsofhurt // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:28

    He was a good player but not great.
    I personally wish him well.
    The End…….

  • 3 Martin // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:29

    aii…can all the fans who were ready to boo him please read this and not act as fickley as you were planning - I wish him well (as long as we do better obviously!)

    Many other players have done the same thing and receievd good receptions - both Nobby, Speed and Sibierski felt under-valued by the club and left…can’t hold it against Jimmy the Brazilian!

  • 4 Jinal // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:30

    Thanks for everything James. Best of luck.

  • 5 wolfhound // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:31

    sign someone please sunderland are looking like they have a billionaire owner not us come on ashley you could stil be a hero

  • 6 Irish John // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:32

    goo dlad , pitty about crossing and shooting skills…If he had them he would be staying..Im sure off that…

    We will be a better team without him.

  • 7 natedawg // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:33

    any one no who the two lads behind joey barton in the photo on the toon in training for arsenal match on nufc.co.uk

  • 8 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:33

    i hope he has a good career but not too good

  • 9 Big Ricks Black Nd White Army // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:35

    seb larrson as a replacement would be good, cheaper too, prob bowt 6 mill anyone else want him? and he can cross a ball

  • 10 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:36

    wolfhound i am starting to wonder whether the scum have a few billionaire owners hope not

  • 11 Bobby Ollox // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:37

    Keegan or Ashley did the right thing. If they had reworked his contract to keep him, on Monday morning there would be a queue outside his office, all bleating that they were worth more

    He didnt want to play for us any more, he’s gone - end of.

  • 12 liquid ice // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:37

    irish john dont forget the speed skills!!

  • 13 danuneek // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:38

    Well im happy that KK has come out said it was his decision to sell Milner. I think its a good deal for the amount been specified.

  • 14 smithio // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:40

    Good luck to him. It was good to see him get head down when it fell through last time. It’d be interesting to know what pay rise he’s getting. Shame Smith, Duff Barton and Shola aren’t gagging to get away to get first team football….wonder why??£££????££££

  • 15 Kash // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:40

    I’d take Seb Larrson but not for £6m. Maybe £3m or £4m.

  • 16 Estechco // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:41

    natedawg: Think one is new youngster Nile Ranger (sub on Tues). Other could be the Danqueh (reserve) lad?

  • 17 King-Habib // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:41

    Nate Dawg - It’s Kamil Zayatte and Nile Ranger I think.

  • 18 toon lad // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:42

    good luck to milner great player.think that should be the end ofpeople going out .move on to the important matter our signings

  • 19 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:43

    smithio milner wasnt gagging to get away for first team football he wanted to get away for a pay rise

  • 20 Birketts // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:43

    I dont post often put read all, james milnes is an ok player not great 2goals nd 3assits last year prove that, i just hope we sign a replacement, also am sick ov reading all these post by fans slagging MA, leave the guy alone if it werent for him there wouldnt be a NUFC

  • 21 LBToon // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:44

    While most will agree that Milner has come into his own and some will say we should not have let him go, the club could not pass up the valuation Villa put on the player. 9 to 12 million is too good to pass up. Smart move from corporate, now show support to Kevin by backing his move for a quality replacement.

  • 22 natedawg // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:44

    k werent sure , thanks

  • 23 magpieranger // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:44

    spotty git

  • 24 Michael // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:45

    http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sport/football/article-1050652/From-confidence-shot-keeper-prodigal-son-Sportsmail-examines-duff-buys.html?ITO=1490

    What a load of rubbish from the mail. They are already saying Colo is a bad signing and is bad in the air. He’s only bean beaten once in the air (that I can remember) and it was because the player got a run on him.

  • 25 whitey // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:45

    refreshing to see a player act with dignity and integrity over the move instead of going to the press or having an immature strop. milner has been a credit to the toon shirt since he signed. dont know the contract ins and outs, but i bet hes on and was asking for a fraction of some of our bigger earners. weve lost a really good valuable young player who will only get better. sure hell sniff around a couple of full caps in the future.

  • 26 Marty // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:45

    Good luck

  • 27 Tom // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:45

    Good luck James. Don’t score against us yeah??

  • 28 ToonBoy // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:45

    The lad signed a four year contract. He then decided he wanted more money. He banged in a transfer request to really blackmail the club. It didn’t work and now he’s gone. Its about time a club made a stance against the greed of these players. The PFA should be ashamed. Milner should be ashamed. He obviously didn’t really care about the club.

  • 29 Gallowgate31 // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:46

    To me it sounds like Milner is a thoroughly decent talented, young, gifted, canny

    MERCENARY.

    Thanks for your efforts and goodbye.

    KK showed his side, and Milner has now showed his.

    Shame but lets move on now lads !

  • 30 Whitt // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:47

    i have to agree that his contract hardly reflects the clubs own valuation of him…for example, they paid about 6M for Smith and Barton each, and they are on double what Milner was on, yet the clubs asking 10+?

    in the end, Milner was one of my favorite players, but getting 10+M for him is good business. hope we reinvest immediately though.

  • 31 steve // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:50

    Good words from Milner - was good for newcastle but not great and 9-12 million is over the odds for him so a good deal for toon.

    Think it’s fair enough that he wanted parity with taylor (he aint that great either), with the club refusing to open contract talks he obviously thought that slapping in a transfer request would force the issue which it did although probably not the outcome he thought would happen.

    Good luck to him at Villa but lets move on

  • 32 iain // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:50

    its why so many of us keeping banging on that getting rid of smith/shola/duff is just as important as signing good players.

  • 33 Tom_Toon // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:50

    Natedawg - Ranger and Danquah.

  • 34 Egar // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:52

    Best of luck, James.

  • 35 Ian // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:52

    Milner is ok, leave him alone.

    I am just grateful Martins doesnt feel that way too.

    I am expecting KK to make some brilliant signings and two of them to be strikers, one really good one.

    I get the feeling Owen has tried to overplay his worth with KK and he will sign a replacement.

  • 36 Gallowgate31 // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:52

    He will get a good Cheer when he plays against us which will then turn to Boo’s whenever he touches the ball.

    Quite an affectionate tradition towards a player we once liked.

    What happens when his first corner against us goes straight over everyone, or little Zog heads it away !

    He will get jeered…… ( if we have a good replacement anyway ! ).

  • 37 sweendog // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:52

    Milner .. unfortunately showed his true character looking a pay rise instead of working and waiting to get a pay rise .. a couple of very good performances doesn’t mean he’s worth big money ..
    Unfortunately a good player has left us but we currently have better players at the club as wingers and we have better strikers .. so he is not needed and we can get better for 10-12 mill.

  • 38 neeraj // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:52

    whitt
    thats what we are saying it was a good business

  • 39 Shola Ameobi // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:53

    Im gutted like. The squads so bare at the moment, milner was an asset just becouse he can play in a few different positions. The fact he plays week in week out and gives everything for our club, yet still ends up on less wages than barton or smith is a joke. Really got no idea who we could get at this point who is as good or better than milner. It took us months to sign Jonas and Collo, anybody who thinks where going to get 4 players in essentially one day (match tomorrow, nothing happens on sundays) is being silly. Wev got the talent, but not the numbers to even think about competing with sides like villa.

  • 40 Marguerite // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:53

    Good luck Milner.

    Just so long as we beat the Villa home and away!

  • 41 Jimi // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:54

    Good luck to the lad, a dignified speech there. Think he shot himself in the foot trying to blackmail the club though, well maybe his bad advisers did anyway. Sounds tinged with a little regret to me.
    Roll on Saturday… 1 - 2 to the Toon….

  • 42 Gallowgate31 // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:54

    Wish I was undervaluated by 10k per week, would be laughing !

  • 43 steve // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:55

    That report on duff buys by the housewives choice is extremely poor reporting - how can they term Collo a duff buy after 3 games (he had a great game against Manure although struggled a bit with the batter boys of Bolton) - anyone who buys that rag of a newspaper should be ashamed of themselves

  • 44 Marguerite // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:56

    Jimi (38) I thought the same re the regret but thought I was reading too much into what he had said.

  • 45 Graeme Allon // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:56

    I’ll be sad to see James go. There seemed to mixed opinions about him but I always thought he was a cracking player - when he was off form he was a hard working grafter - when he was on form he was capable of some wonderful displays and magical crosses.

    Good luck James.

  • 46 Lee H // Aug 29, 2008 at 16:59

    Good luck to him, over rated in my opinion - a grafter yes, but hardly ever any end product.

    Lets hope we use the money wisely.

  • 47 Macas // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:02

    The comments about Coloccini in the air - to be fair he didn’t win a header all afternoon against Kevin Davies!

  • 48 kenny g // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:02

    shola, you can bet your bottom dollar every club’s backroom staff will be working this sunday, dont be stupid

  • 49 James Richards // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:03

    once again its all about the money, isnt it. Forget the fact your on 35 thousand a week to play football, yes Football.
    Money, not loyalty or respect of the fans, hell no. Take the money and run.

  • 50 YongFC // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:03

    its good to sell him, we get more money and plz buy someone better than Milner.

    Diego, S.Larrson, Y.Zhirkov will enough for us.

    FAST !!!!!

  • 51 krlyil // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:03

    not a good day for NUFC.

    im just waiting to see if we sign anyone before sunday night :(

  • 52 Jimi // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:05

    Got a gut feeling Arda Turan is one of the players in the pipeline…

  • 53 shearer9 // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:05

    this is off topic but my god the sunderland echo is a joke, first they spout some crap about owen to sunderland…and now its that sunderland fans are the best in the country and newcastle the worst. you just have to laugh

    http://www.sunderlandecho.com/safc/Report-Sunderland-are-fans-best.4441556.jp

  • 54 Geordiejohn // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:06

    Shola Ameobi– Normally, players who can ‘play in lots of different positions’ are s**t in all of them. Good riddance… we need to get back to the standard of Solano from the right… not easily done I admit … but Milner was a huge disappointment after the finesse, vision and directness of wor Nobby.

    SSN saying that Arshavin and his agent are in meetings with toon officials AS WE SPEAK!

  • 55 Tom_Toon // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:06

    Macas // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:02

    The comments about Coloccini in the air - to be fair he didn’t win a header all afternoon against Kevin Davies!

    ————————————————————

    Neither did Taylor who they described as ’solid’.

  • 56 Acuna // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:08

    Sky just said arshavin is talking to newcastle this afternoon…… could it be true?

  • 57 toon lad // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:09

    link geordiejohn

  • 58 casper // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:12

    i bet keegan will go after lennon now

  • 59 toonfan1 // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:13

    there is nothing on the sky sports website.

  • 60 sweendog // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:15

    who does win in the air against a thug like Kevin Davies .. doesn’t mean he’s world class in the air .. but doesn’t mean he’s bad either ..

  • 61 Toon1978 // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:15

    Casper

    A kid called G claims he has a strong source involved with NUFC and he said LENNON will be one of 3 top signings on Monday but don’t hold ya breath.

  • 62 Jimi // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:18

    BBC says Bayern Munich have entered the race to sign Berbatov. Can’t see anything on SSN about the Toon Geordiejohn!!!

  • 63 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:23

    shearer thatr is a load of balls i dont think we have the best fans in the country that would go to liverpool but we are better than the mackems last season was a good year for them and they still did not fill thier stadium saying that will we fill ours this year i hope so

  • 64 scottish mag // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:23

    he is pulling your pi**ers guys

    who do u reckon the 4 players will be

    defender would be zayatte (spelling) probs if he is training and kk is impressed

    in a perfect world i would have
    am- arshavin
    rw- arda
    st- dont really know

  • 65 toon lad // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:25

    would any body want arshavin i would like him

  • 66 Micky Toon // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:26

    Sometimes the SSN website is behind the TV, but in this case you’ll forgive me for being a bit cynical that it is even being reported on TV.

    PS
    Hope it’s true though. ;-)

  • 67 dan // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:28

    I just wanted to come on here and say thanks to James Milner and wish him all the best.

    If we get players in that have anywhere near the attitude of this lad…we will do terrific.

    Wish he could have stayed and can’t believe we are paying Barton, Smith, Viduka, Duff etc etc fortunes…yet can’t even stump up money for our most mature and consisitant performer over many seasons. Still only 22.

    A crying shame!

  • 68 bruTOOON // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:28

    aston villa offer european football.

    newcastle united offer relegation battle…

    so its an abvious choice…for him

  • 69 Dondatta13 // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:29

    My problem with Arshavin isnt his ability, he is a very good player. No, its him declaring his love of :-

    Barca ..
    Real Madrid ..
    Arsenal …
    Spurs …

    He forgot to mention his undying love for MONEY.

  • 70 ERIC CRAMMY MAG // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:29

    what a price for a player with only a good engine he didn,t want to stay so bollicks to him bring in mr wow signing please

  • 71 scott9 // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:29

    yep bring in seb larson as a replacemnt

  • 72 daydeburt // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:30

    WOW, if this is who we are getting then , iam speechless, its just been on ssn saying hes in talks!!
    http://www.youtube.com/user/JMGee1987

  • 73 toon lad // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:30

    i know for certain we wont be in a relegation battle but villa might be 3-2 versus stoke.villa are class

  • 74 daydeburt // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:31

    WOW, so this is what they meant be a wow signing, close source says hes in talks, and sentanta.

    http://www.youtube.com/user/JMGee1987

  • 75 Joe. // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:32

    Hope this doesn’t happen with Owen like.

  • 76 JP...from The Rock of Gibraltar! // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:32

    On the official website it says that we sold him for 12M !! If that’s the case then I am happy. That’s a lot of money and we could sign one or two really good players with that money. We could now go for an Attacking Midfielder ASAP and offer cash up front. WE SHOULD SIGN ARSHAVIN - The kid is desperate to prove himself in the best league in the world. Lets take this chance to grab him before Spurs come back with an improved offer again.

  • 77 Massandrean // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:33

    Ashley coward and liar, bastard cockney

  • 78 silverwear this year // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:38

    sad to see milner go, but i dont think he’s a mercenary - heard on ssn that money was a factor.. but when you look at what he has to offer and how good a player he was he deserved more than what shola was on (think they’re roughly the same, say if you no different).
    too much criticism over barton me thinks - once he gets his ban out of the way i expect him to do the business for us and earn his wage.
    i like your thinkin scottish mag - but for me its either arshavin or arda.
    anyone got some new ideas on strikers?

  • 79 scott9 // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:38

    i was well gutted about milner at first but 12m hahahahahahahahahahahhahaha

  • 80 Toon1978 // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:39

    I liked Milner for the graft he put in but his crossing at times was terrible. He struggles to beat the first man on many occasions.

  • 81 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:41

    daydeburt whois it

  • 82 ende // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:42

    I was thinking that the only way I’d be ok with losing Milner at this time (don’t really care if he goes, it’s more the context of the team’s situation that concerns me) is if we get a hefty fee for him. I wanted to be cheeky at £12, but 9 would have been fine. If it’s really 12 then I’m quite pleased. In my mind, the only real difference between Milner and say Guthrie is that in Milner you *hope* for more, but I have never really seen it delivered. Guthrie is more what you see is what you get, so I think we’re not losing anything more here than great expectations, and that can’t be such a bad thing.

    But, we’re thin. We need signings, quickly. On the other hand, I think we have enough quality to get us pretty far, and some of our youth seem right at the verge of standing up for the big test. Let’s see what happens and enjoy some football. I don’t think we’ll be super disappointed.

  • 83 daydeburt // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:48

    its grainger man!!
    wow

  • 84 RamyNUFC // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:49

    No thank you to the fans then? Cheerio you greedy twat.

  • 85 ronaldeano // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:50

    I hope that the ‘WOW’ signing is Huntelaar

  • 86 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:54

    saivet for toon

  • 87 nightfall // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:55

    i just don’t get one thing…KK said it was his decision to sell milner…we know he wanted to sell shola, but why on earth not smith?

    oh and as for milner..i really liked the guy…but every player can be replaced…especailly today…among so many talents…

    it’s a long summer…thank god it’s friday and that there are only 2 days left!!! :) …i just hope we sign few more players…hoping for:
    -LB: zhirkov
    -CM: arshavin/j.cole/,…who ever vith good vision, stamina/pace and accurate passing…arshavin does work hard!
    - ST: would love berabtov :D , but IF it’s true that man utd may sell rooney…do i need to say? :) young, hardworking, talented…

    cheers

    p.s.: i hope man utd loses tonight :D

  • 88 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:57

    night fall there is actually 3 days left

  • 89 boater // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:58

    Hmmm Nothing on Sky about Arshavin or the toon for that matter!?!?!? Wind up lads… I’m thinking.

    Ronaldeano… wouldn’t we all love it if huntelaar joined… is it likely though? We would probably still need an attacking midfielder though.. if there is a WOW signing more likely to be in midfield now that Milner has gone….

    Hopefully we will know more by tomorrow’s match…. and on that subject post-milner I’m going…. picks itself really.

    Given
    Beye Colo Taylor Enrique
    Geremi Butt Guthrie
    Guti Zog
    Owen

  • 90 capt. darlin // Aug 29, 2008 at 17:59

    whats all this good luck milner banter, dont score against us as if he reads this blog!!!!
    Im amazed and delighted we got so much money for him. Yes he works hard etc but his football ability is limited. Over plays instead of getting crosses in, runs the ball out to often, poor delivery from set pieces, cannot cross on the run with any quality, one paced!!! He must be a nightmare for stikers cos when he has time to get crosses in he cuts inside, then back outside, then inside and is tackled of the chance to cross has gone….. Now lets spend the money “wisely” no pun intended and get some real quality in. Packing me bags cos off to arsenal the morra…. Skinful

  • 91 nightfall // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:00

    oh and i must say i’d be really disappointed if we sign arda..i mean the guy is just too weak and too slow for EPL…i think emre’s better then him…plus he’d cost at least 10m..so no way…i think it’s best for him to stay in turkish league…i seriousely don’t think he’d do well in any of the major leagues…

  • 92 neeraj // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:01

    nightfall

    keegan never came up with the statement that selling was my decision before the signing/medical of these players(shola and milner)

    and seriously who wants smith

    HOPE he can revive his career at sjp

  • 93 nightfall // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:01

    beyethegreat - yes i know..but it’s friday evening…

  • 94 A Friend of a friend;-) // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:02

    HUNTELAAR
    ARSHAVIN
    ATOUBA

    mmmmmmmmmmmm

  • 95 boater // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:03

    nightfall… in fairness Shola has nearly 40 goals for newcastle… more than any other player at the club now. He has become a laughing stock now yes which I still think is harsh…but milner had 2 assist last season… when he played a lot… he was lucky to be picked frankly.

  • 96 D.C. // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:03

    Arshavin ain’t coming, he’s on something like 85k a week at Zenit and wants more in his contract with whomever he signs for.

  • 97 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:03

    still night fall 3 days
    saturday sunday monday

  • 98 bob // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:03

    arshvans agent says he still thinks that hes going to spurs as there has been an agreement between spurss n man u 4 berbatov and the guy said nothing about nufc so i very much doubt theres any truth to what people have been saying here

  • 99 mitch // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:04

    berbatov for the toon please

  • 100 Estranged // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:05

    Ok guyz team lineup for tmr :

    …………………………..Given…………………………….

    Beye———Taylor————-Colo——–Enrique

    ————————–Butt—————————–

    —————Guthrie———–Barton—————-

    Jonas————————————————-Zog

    ————————–Owen—————————

    Subs - Harper,Bassong,Smith,Edgar,Tozer,Ranger, Ameobi

    Geremi apparently injured…

    What do yall think???

  • 101 xfer // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:05

    Gutted to see him leave, good professional who plays with pride. Runs tirelessly for the team. 12 Mil is a good price for us though.

    All the best James!

  • 102 scotty // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:05

    I still wonder if he’d have been at man u or arsenal would he of had the gall to try and re-negotiate his contract for the THIRD time???

    I think not, this is a fine example of player power. 12million for a lad who can’t cross or score many goals is fantastic business…….

    But the most upsetting thing is just the simple fact we aint strengthened.

  • 103 nightfall // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:06

    monday…doesn’t transfer window closes sunday evening at 23:59:59? :)

  • 104 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:08

    nightfall no it is open for an extra day

  • 105 nightfall // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:09

    Estranged - like it…only one change (on the bench)…a youngster for smith :)

  • 106 Ross // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:09

    Stop mentioning Berbatov!!
    SSN will not have mentioned us and arshavin, due to the fact that they have just been talking about his agent saying he is confident he will be a spurs player by monday.
    he says this because apparently a source close to Spurs have spoken to a reporter from SSN and have said an agreement in principal has been made to take berbatov to man utd.

    Milner has basically just said that he wasnt getting paid enough at us, and that he felt he was worth more. because we wouldnt give him more, he left.
    SSN are however now saying Malouda could be one of our possible targets as keegan wants to bring in 3 or 4 players of quality. they did however credit us for keeping our cards close to our chest, and that in actual fact, they’d just have to sit and wait to see what we did.

  • 107 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:09

    something to do with it being a sunday

  • 108 James // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:11

    Why are we still talking about Milner??? He’s an Aston Villa player and I don’t give a rats ass about Villa players.

  • 109 mitch // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:11

    berbatov please ross we only joking lighten up we all have dreams

  • 110 Dev // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:13

    Toon in for Joaquin, Veloso, Arda and Zigic!

  • 111 nightfall // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:14

    beyethegreat - really? damn.. oh well…good to know..thanks..

  • 112 t-g-w // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:14

    Ross - SSN also said that Malouda would be a loan signing not a permanent transfer.

    Not too bothered if it was on loan but wouldn’t want him for £12million.

    How much is Guiterrez worth then?!

  • 113 Ross // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:16

    i know i know, and trust me i’d love to see berbatov play for us, but at the end of the day its just not gonna happen, yet somehow (not directing this at you mitch,lol) i think people on here genuinly beleive it would be a possibility!
    he has a shocking attitude anyway, he makes nzogbia look like our most commited squad member,lol.
    i really dont know who we’ll buy. SSN have mentioned malouda which makes me think he wont turn up because they havent got a clue,haha. just have to wait and see.
    to be deadly honest im still dubious as to whether anyone will turn up.

  • 114 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:19

    nightfall its alright mate

    dev good idea joaquin to replace milner

  • 115 Tom_Toon // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:20

    Ameobi isnt in the squad, Geremi is injured.

  • 116 wigaz // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:20

    Totally off subject lads, just been watchin shearer vids on you tube & it’s true what they say you appreciate something even more when it’s gone! We were so blessed to see the best striker our league has ever & will ever see banging em in week in week out for his beloved toon! what we wouldn’t give for another one like him eh? Back on subject i’ll be seriously pissed if we dont replace milner with serious quality a la Arshavi Arda Deigo style! make it happen cappen!

  • 117 Tom // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:21

    If we loan Malouda then fair enough, but I don’t want to sign him on a permenant deal!

  • 118 Ross // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:22

    t-g-w, i didnt hear that, not long home from work.
    i’d take him on loan purely to see how he did, there’s no harm in that!

    Barton in the squad for arsenal tomorrow, would like to see him and guthrie in the middle like

  • 119 Toonboy // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:23

    Any links to the Asharvin ssn report??? Or is it all b/s like

  • 120 Petey // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:24

    lol, the last player i want is the lazy berb man. so im not even gonna joke about it lol.
    i dont even know who to compare berbatov too, he is just slow, and simply has no commitment.

    skillful maybe, but man united can have him.

    Huntelaar all the way lol! after all, his cousin was posting on here the other day saying he was in town! (and it couldnt have been an imposter….surly! :-P)

  • 121 ObaFan2 // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:25

    “the valuation of me wasn’t reflected in the deal I was on.”

    Sorry to say it but the valuations are way over the top imo.

    Good luck but good bye.

    Onwards and upwards for the Toon.

  • 122 Petey // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:26

    and lol @ ross

    “he has a shocking attitude anyway, he makes nzogbia look like our most commited squad member,lol.”

    that has to be the quote of the day, so true

  • 123 Ross // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:27

    Well Big phil has just said Malouda isnt going anywhere anyway, not even on loan.

  • 124 Cockney Magpie // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:29

    iv always liked Milner, he seems like a nice lad but ive always felt he was very average as a player and we could do alot better IMO also i know alot of people dont agree and thats fair enough but i would actually LOVE Malouda to come i think he could be great for us and those who say he is no better than Duff or N’Zog??? what planet r u on?

  • 125 valle // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:30

    at the end of the day, its simply good business selling Milner for 10-12 million… I do feel he will be an England player one day, not in the same class as Gerard or Lampard, but actually like Barry. I also reckon Milner will be 26-27 before he reach that level…

  • 126 toonfanjonny // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:31

    palacio wants to leave Boca id take him

  • 127 beyethegreat // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:32

    cockney he is no better than zog or duff i also think zog will be more comitted this year and we wont be hearing stories of him wanting out

  • 128 Petey // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:35

    if the zog doesnt moan, ill eat a pair of my socks.

    and im with cockney magpie, malouda is much better than we all think. but thts just my humble opinion

  • 129 Ross // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:35

    sorry beyethegreat but thats silly, he is better than charlie, more experienced too.. he just hasnt been given his chance at chelsea.
    if charlie was better, it would be him on the left wing for france, and not malouda surely?
    i wouldnt pay 12 mil for malouda at all, but i’d jump to take him on loan, that cant hurt.

  • 130 SwedEric // Aug 29, 2008 at 18:36

    I will sheer him on when I see him play!

    Get what he means that we think he is worth 10M, but he doesn´t have the paycheck that the players we buy for 10M gets… But you can´t go after that, can you?

    The only reason we turned that bid down of 9M was because we didn´t need to sell, and also needed the player, should he get higher wages for that?

    <