Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Manuel Pellegrini hopeful James Milner will sign new contract at Man City

MANCHESTER -- Manuel Pellegrini is confident James Milner will stay at Manchester City and sign a new contract after talks on an extended deal stalled.

Milner, whose current deal expires next summer, will be able to discuss a move to foreign clubs from the start of January as City risk losing him on a free transfer.

But Pellegrini is unworried by the delay and expects the 28-year-old to commit his future to City until 2019, saying both the club and the midfielder want him to remain at the Etihad Stadium.

He stated in a news conference: "We are talking with James. It is not easy for all the players to sign a new contract. There are a lot of things to talk, to decide, discuss. I hope finally James will sign his contract. I repeat, the same as with Joe Hart, he wants to stay and the club wants to keep him."

Pressed if he is confident Milner will stay, Pellegrini replied: "I think so. There are some differences that can be arranged."

Later on Friday, Joe Hart committed his future to City by signing a new contract which will keep him at the club until 2019.

Frank Lampard's loan spell at City is due to end later this month and Pellegrini reiterated his keenness to keep the 36-year-old for a longer spell.

He added: "We will see. It is not just our decision. If you ask me if I want Frank to stay, of course I want him to stay. He is a very important player for our squad and he is playing very well as the top player he is. Maybe in the next days we will be sure but I cannot be 100 percent at this moment."

Matija Nastasic has been linked with a January move away from the Etihad Stadium and the Serb has not played in the Premier League since February or appeared for City in any competition since August's Community Shield

Pellegrini said: "He has had a lot of injuries during the first part of the season but maybe some clubs can have interest in him."

^ Back to Top ^