United winger Milner looks for pay rise

Jul 16 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

JAMES Milner is hoping he will be rewarded with a new contract at Newcastle following months of speculation about his future at St James’s Park.

Milner has been linked with a move to both Aston Villa and Liverpool and it seems the persistent rumours of a departure could have something to do with the player’s desire to receive a pay rise.

The England Under-21 international made 32 appearances for United last season and has been first-team regular for the last two years on Tyneside. But the 22-year-old is one of the lowest earners at the club and, having seen Steven Taylor successfully negotiate a new deal earlier this month, Milner is keen to do the same. However, although Milner’s representatives have contacted the Newcastle board in an attempt to open talks about an improved deal there has been no response from the club.

Indeed, The Journal understands that United are unwilling to enter into a new round of talks at this stage because Milner only put pen to paper on a four-year contract 12 months ago.

That deal gave the winger parity in wages with French Under-21 star Charles N’Zogbia and meant he was on more money than Taylor before the centre-back finally signed an improved deal a fortnight ago after protracted negotiations lasting almost a year.

The Newcastle hierarchy are also more concerned with trying to finalise the details of a new four-year-contract with captain and last season’s leading goalscorer Michael Owen. The England international has less than 12 months remaining on his present deal and will be able to talk to rival clubs about a lucrative Bosman-style free transfer from January.

Talks have apparently progressed well during several meetings over the last few weeks, but nothing has been signed and

there is a concern the 28-year-old is merely delaying for as long as possible before revealing he intends to run down the last few months of his contract and leave on a free at the end of next season.

Inevitably, given his status and importance to Kevin Keegan’s side, Owen’s situation is taking precedence over everything else on the table and executive director (football) Dennis Wise and head of recruitment Tony Jimenez are anxious to get something agreed before the Premier League season gets underway on August 16.

As a result, Milner’s grievance is not high on the club’s list of priorities and, while he does not believe his first-team regular status is reflected in his wages, Milner will not rock the boat at this stage.

However, his advisors will expect the issue to be discussed before the end of the year following Keegan’s one-on-one meeting with the player last week.

Milner had sought assurances about his future following the arrival of right-winger Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca and Danny Guthrie from Liverpool, but Keegan has emphasised he remains firmly part of his plans for the new campaign.

That should be enough to keep Milner at the club for the time being and the interest that was being shown in him at the start of the summer has subsided.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are believed to have become the new favourites in the battle to sign Argentina’s attacking midfielder Pablo Aimar.

The 28-year-old had looked destined to sign for Portugal giants Benfica last week, but Newcastle have made a late attempt to hijack the deal and it is understood they have agreed to go close to meeting the £7m his club, Real Zaragoza, are demanding.