Solano Deal Could Still Go Through

It had been suggested Aston Villa were prepared to strike a deal with Newcastle, provided they secured James Milner on loan in exchange, but The Magpies were only interested in a straight cash deal and it was thought it was set to end any possibility of a transfer being agreed.

"We made a bid, but it has been refused and that is the end of it," Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd told Sky Sports News. "We wish Nobby and Aston Villa all the best. You never know. I said I loved my wife when I left this morning, so who knows?"

Villa's desire to secure Milner's services on loan would appear to be a sticking point and Shepherd insisted the youngster would not be heading out of St James' Park.

"Not a chance," said Shepherd in response to questions about whether Milner could be used as a makeweight in the deal. Follow this story here.