Manchester City and England midfielder James Milner could be AS Roma’s next signing as they ponder a £10m bid.
Milner is contracted until June 2015 with the current Premier League holders, so Pellegrini will have to sell him in January or risk losing him for free next summer. The 28-year old isn’t a regular starter with his current club, so he might make the switch elsewhere in January.
City tried to tie him down to a new contract in the summer but the England international refused to do so, which started speculation of him leaving in the January transfer window. He was quoted saying in the summer, “I have a year left and have spoken to the club,” he said. “I love it here and would love to stay at Manchester City, but first and foremost I am a footballer and want to play football. Hopefully I can play enough games and will be here for the long term.
“You want to win trophies and I’ve been fortunate enough to do that. I want to do that and ideally play in enough games.”
Milner has abundance of experience in the Premier League having represented Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City. In addition, he is a very versatile player who can be deployed anywhere around the midfield area, though he is predominantly a right sided player.
Roma have no intention in stopping there as they are being linked with Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Il Tempo revealed that the Italian side are considering a bid for the 32-year old as he isn’t happy being second choice to Thibaut Courtois. Manager Rudi Garcia has a slight problem in the goalkeeping position as usual 1st choice goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis is 37 years of age and missed the last game due to injury. His understudy Lukasz Skorupski hasn’t impressed.
Cech made his 1st appearance of the season against Chelsea after Courtois was substituted due to a head injury. Based on Courtois’ form, it’s very unlikely that Cech will be the 1st choice in the coming months, so the Czech Republic goalkeeper could move to Roma if an offer arrived.