Milner transfer request adds to Keegan’s woes

8:45am Thursday 28th August 2008

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KEVIN Keegan is facing the prospect of losing two of his prized assets as contract wrangles could see both James Milner and Michael Owen heading for the St James’ Park exit.

Newcastle United announced yesterday they were ‘very disappointed’ that Milner had handed in a written transfer request.

However, a statement from Mick McGuire, deputy chief executive of the PFA, who represent Milner, claims the request was made a week earlier.

“The facts are that James’ transfer request was actually handed in on Wednesday, August 20, at which point it was asked by Newcastle United to keep the matter private,” confirmed McGuire “The request was given because the player was looking for an improvement on his contract that reflected his development and his value to the club. There is a meeting between the owner and all relevant people at the club today (Wednesday) when we believed James’ request was to be discussed.”

The situation will be hugely frustrating for Keegan, who gave Milner, one of the first-team squad’s lowest earners, his personal guarantee he would receive an improved contract offer this summer, giving him parity with Newcastle’s mid-ranked earners like Steven Taylor.

After Milner’s man-of-the-match performance in the League Cup victory at Coventry, Keegan reiterated his desire to keep the midfielder at the club.

“James has three years left on his contract and I don’t even want to talk about losing him. He’s a very important player for us, one who is worthy of a call-up to the senior England side,”

he said.

When Milner discovered last week an improved deal would not be offered, he reluctantly felt his only option was to hand in a transfer request.

And with Liverpool and Aston Villa both poised to bid for a man who played 32 games for the Magpies last season, Keegan could be left with only a few days to find a replacement – Chelsea’s Shaun Wright Philips is the latest to be linked.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is a long-time admirer of Milner, who spent a successful loan spell at Villa Park in the 2005-6 season. The Midlands club are thought to have had a £9m bid rejected by Newcastle, who are believed to be holding out for a fee around the £10m mark.

“Milner was nearly here two years ago, but it didn’t materialise.

But I never think anything is done and dusted until it happens,” said O’Neill.

Keegan has spent most of the summer urging the club’s board to resolve the impasse over Michael Owen’s contract extension before the transfer window closes on Monday.

But again it seems that Mike Ashley has different ideas, with the Newcastle owner claiming the transfer deadline is not relevant to Owen’s situation. It looks increasingly likely the striker’s current £120,000 per week deal will not be renewed and the England forward will be allowed to begin discussions with rival clubs in January.

Keegan has gone on the offensive to make clear his belief that Owen’s importance to Newcastle United goes beyond the player’s obvious prowess as a striker.

“Michael is not only one player, he’s a very special player,” said Keegan.

“That’s the difference. He’s very important to this club.

That’s my vision for this club; if it’s not shared by other people, that’s their problem.

“I know what it takes to be successful at a football club and I know the type of people you wait a lifetime for at a football club. “That’s why Michael is important.

My job is to manage the club and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m not doing it to be awkward.”