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PFA defend Milner's request
Newcastle United, 11:34, August 28, 2008 ,
Newcastle midfielder James Milner only handed in a transfer request in order to earn a better Magpies contract, according to the PFA.
The England Under-21 regular has been strongly linked with Aston Villa where he spent the 2005/06 season on loan, but PFA chief executive Mick McGuire claims his request was not made with a view to returning to Villa Park.
He said: "The facts are that James' transfer request was actually handed in on Wednesday, August 20, at which point it was asked by Newcastle to keep the matter private.
"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."
McGuire also claimed Milner's current deal should be renegotiated given his status as a key player and insisted improving the terms of younger players was always an ongoing process regardless of the length remaining on their contracts.
McGuire added: "James did sign a contract 12 months ago. However, this agreement was reached with the club nearly 12 months previous at the point at which Newcastle had agreed to sell James to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day 2006 before cancelling the agreement at the 11th hour."