This whole James Milner saga is starting to get extremely boring now. Just before the World Cup we were told that talks were positive but yesterday we were told that the player intimated he would like to leave in that exact same conversation. Does it add up to you?
Then we have General PR, Krulak if you want, publishing figures about the net spend of our club over the past two years, when that information isn't publicly available. That isn't so surprising - the PR department should know this information, but he then starts quoting figures from other clubs, also for the last two years, claiming as fact, net spend figures for the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Everton.
How can he get these figures? I'll tell you how; he can't. He is either making figures up to try and create positive PR or someone has handed him information that is made up, to create positive spin and PR.
Add it all up and believe whatever you want to believe - but actions speak louder than words and we will know on September 1st 2010 the real intentions of Randy Lerner.
At the end of the day, if Martin O'Neill doesn't put some silverware in the cabinet this season or finish higher than sixth, General PR is going to need to get his spin back on and start talking about six year plans for Champions League football or explain why failure is acceptable, if Martin O'Neill isn't sacked.
The sun is shining
But, to James Milner, as this is the story that is going to run and run. At the end of the day we had to say no to the first offer but if and when Manchester City make another, we have to think very carefully about accepting.
At the end of the day, if you take away his engine, his other attributes are fairly average so if we can double our money on the player then we would be mad not to do it - it isn't as if we play through midfield that often or that Milner is irreplaceable.
When the sun shines make hay and the sun is shining on James Milner - we might not see this amount of cash for one of our players ever again.