Liverpool The Key To Milner Transfer!

Last updated : 06 July 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Liverpool have probed Newcastle for weeks, making offers of youth team players and money well below the valuation of the player.

But it was enough to unsettle the former Leeds Utd winger, and he even held "crisis talks" over his future, saying he fancied the move to Anfield.

Liverpool are believed to have cooled their interest but Gareth Barry's proposed move to the Reds is key in Milner's move.

O'Neill yesterday admitted the need for new signings is "more important than ever", with Barry's departure to Liverpool all but confirmed.

Villa have also lost Carson, Thomas Sorensen, Olof Mellberg and Patrik Berger since the end of last season.

Newcastle target Steve Sidwell is expected to be one of the new faces and Villa hope to complete a £4.5m deal with Chelsea for the 25-year-old next week.