http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11679_6275012,00.htmlManchester City boss Roberto Mancini has welcomed the news Aston Villa are prepared to sell James Milner.
England ace Milner has been one of City's top targets this summer and Villa have already rejected a £20million bid for the midfielder.
Villa were keen to keep hold of Milner, but Martin O'Neill revealed earlier on Thursday the club were willing to sell the former Leeds man for the right price after he indicated he wanted to leave Villa Park.
Mancini, who is away in America with City on their pre-season tour, is a big admirer of Milner and is hopeful of striking a deal for the 24-year-old.
"Milner is a good player, but today he is an Aston Villa player," Mancini told Sky Sports News.
"If we have this chance [to sign Milner] I think we can take him, but we must wait now."
City goalkeeper Shay Given, a former team-mate of Milner's at Newcastle, believes the midfielder is a quality player.
"I worked with James at Newcastle and he is a very, very good player, but we have got some great players already," said Given.
Terrific player
Patrick Vieira has also welcomed City's pursuit of Milner despite the fact his arrival would only add to the competition for a place in Mancini's midfield.
"He [Milner] is a terrific player," said Vieira. "Of course it is not my place to say if he has to come or not but when you look at players we have around it will be good.
"The attraction of City is that the future is fantastic. We have a really competitive team and I think every single player will want to play for City because the future is bright for City."[strike][/strike]
"You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin' to? You talkin' to me? Well I'm the only one here. Who the fucl do you think you're talking to?"