Chelsea interest in Villa's James Milner

Manchester City were today no closer to prising James Milner away from Villa after Chelsea upped their interest in the England World Cup star.

Speculation this morning claimed City and Villa had agreed a £28million fee with Milner, one of three claret and blue players in the national squad in South Africa, poised to agree a bumper five-year deal worth £80,000 a week.

But the Express & Star understands the report is wide of the mark with a deal for the 24-year-old, whom Villa value at £30million, no closer to being agreed.

And Chelsea, who confirmed the departures of midfield trio Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti, still hope to take advantage.

Frank Lampard and John Terry have reportedly tried to persuade their England team-mate to join the champions while on international duty in South Africa and, unlike City, the Blues could offer Milner Champions League football next season.

The only formal offer lodged for Milner remains the £20million bid from City last month, which was rejected.

Villa remain determined to keep hold of the £12million club record signing, who has two years to run on his current deal, and during talks last week a new contract worth around £70,000 a week was put on the table in a bid to keep him.

But a huge question mark hangs over last season's PFA Young Player of the Year's future after he set off for South Africa with the deal unsigned.

City themselves confirmed the release of Benjani, Sylvinho and Martin Petrov yesterday, as they too cleared the decks ahead of restructuring.

Milner is one of their top targets and they are believed to be eager to land a glamour signing like the Villa midfielder before their pre-season tour begins on July 12 - the day after the World Cup final.

But it's highly improbable any deal would be done before England's involvement in South Africa ends, with coach Fabio Capello having requested his players refrain from transfer talks.