Aston Villa have rejected a bid from Manchester City for midfielder James Milner, believed to be around £20 million.
"We plan to sit down with James and his representative after the World Cup to agree a new long-term deal and this remains our position."
Milner old is halfway through the four-year contract he signed when joining Villa for £12m from Newcastle in the summer of 2008.
England coach Fabio Capello recently said that Milner was "the future" of English football and he has made rapid strides under Villa boss Martin O'Neill.
Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the player who first burst to prominence as a 16-year-old with Leeds.
His upturn in fortunes coincided with O'Neill deciding to switch Milner from a wide role into the middle of the park midway through last season.
It was an inspired move with Milner helping Villa reach the final of the Carling Cup, the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the top six of the Premier League.
Villa would be keen to hold on to Milner and owner Randy Lerner stated only last week that he was hopeful of the player remaining at Villa. But there is no doubt he has become one of the hottest young properties in English football and his value could soar even higher if he has a successful World Cup.
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