Liverpool close in on James Milner signing

James Milner's switch to Liverpool has moved a step closer with Newcastle
interested in a player-plus-cash deal for the England Under-21 midfielder.

Newcastle are reluctant to sell the 22-year-old this summer but are keen on
an exchange deal worth £7m plus Danny Guthrie.

Guthrie, who spent last season on loan at Bolton, is thought to have
confided in friends that he expects to join Newcastle which has increased
speculation that Milner is Anfield bound.

Even though Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has been away on holiday,
assistant coach Terry McDermott has said the former England coach has been
working hard to bring new additions to St James' Park this summer.

Keegan will return from the United States this week where he is expected to
step up his search ahead of their season opener against Manchester United
on Aug 16.

"Even though Kevin's been away, make no mistake, he's been on his phone
trying his best to bring new players to this club," McDermott said.

"Now we'll be coming back in this week and we're looking forward to the
start of pre-season. Both myself and Kevin are great believers in a hard
pre-season so that the lads are flying when it all kicks off."

While Milner's proposed move to Liverpool gathers pace, John Arne Riise is
edging closer to a move to Roma.

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has said the club would not prevent Riise
departing for the right price. It is thought a £5m deal between the two
clubs will be reached by the end of the week.

Earlier this month, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said Riise has the
qualities the Italian club are looking for and the defender has now
stressed his desire to undertake the new challenge in Serie A.

"That was nice what was said by the coach (Spalletti), but this is only
something I have heard from media reports.

"I have only one year of my contract left, so the price is lower than a
year ago – 50 million Norwegian Kroner (approximately £5million) seems a
little high for me.

"I need to play and need to be in a team where I can become better, because
I know I can become better.

"When you change club, you get a kick-start and a set of new challenges."

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