BRISTOL City boss Keith Millen says he has done everything he can to persuade Nicky Maynard to sign a new contract. Arguably City's most potent striker, Maynard is central to the club's ambitions to escape the npower Championship and achieve Barclays Premier League status for the first time. But the 24-year-old has less than 12 months to run on his contract and is still to sign a new deal that has been on the table since the end of last season. City's directors have offered what they consider to be an attractive package, but fear their prize asset could be picked off by a bigger club in the transfer window or even leave for nothing as a free agent after his contract expires. Maynard's refusal to put pen to paper has given rise to increased speculation regarding his future and created a feeling of unease within the camp. And Millen claims he has done all he can to talk the Cheshire-born forward round and that the matter is now in the hands of those responsible for running the club's affairs. Millen said: "I understand everyone's anxiety in him not signing a new contract and I'd love it to be sorted out sooner rather than later. "In my dreams, Nicky signs a new contract and gets the goals that win us promotion. "There is no reason why that cannot happen. That is my hope. "But I have done everything I can to persuade him and now it's down to the board of directors." City have turned down three bids for Leicester and are now waiting anxiously to see if there is any further interest in their leading goalscorer before the transfer window shuts at the end of August. Millen said: "No one has offered anything like the money we believe he is worth and I'm confident the club will remain strong in that respect. "At the moment, there is nothing to worry about on that score, but we will all feel happier when we see Nicky with a pen in his hand." The uncertainty surrounding his future has done little to blunt Maynard's form and he has already scored three goals during pre-season. "I'm just pleased that he is getting fitter and you can see that his sharpness is coming back and that his finishing is as good as ever," added Millen. "Nicky is happy to be here and is playing with a smile on his face and I'm happy about that. "Nicky was still a bit concerned about his knee in Portugal, but since then he has scored goals and seems happier in himself. "The situation is not affecting him and that is the main thing. "As for the rest of it, I'm just taking it day by day and waiting to see what happens."
"As for the rest of it, I'm just taking it day by day and waiting to see what happens." Says it all really !
Course he is '49, he's waiting to see if a Prem club comes in for him to match Leicesters 5m bid. Our Directors are not like Mr Dunfraud and co who snap off the hand of any clubs offering money to boost his pension fund.
Yes NM wants a prem club,he is waiting till the window closes,does not wish to commit to city.must be unsettling for the rest of the players and management. The problem with today's football players they have all the power. Look modric at spurs signed a hefty long ten contract when he thought this was a good deal. Then money bags Chelsea offer him double wages,if he moves to them. Completely destabilises club,and player.
I think if Prem clubs was interested they would of made their move by now, with us bidding for him they would of joined the bidding then or risk him moving elsewhere. I think Maynard will realise this and no over championship clubs can compete for Maynard as his price has gotten too high. Maynard will have 2 choices stay at Bristol or sign for Leicester, i dont think there will be any other options for him
red i think spurs is diffrent with modrics cos they some how convinced him and his agent to sign a 6!!!! year contract last season so he aint gonna walk away for free at the end of the season i believe with nicky that will sign the new contract if it has a clause where a premiership team offers an ammount like 7-10mil he can go
I agree dirtydoyler. The best way for him to attract a Prem club is to stay at City and play in a system that he KNOWS suits him. Going to Leicester would be a gamble.
Fair comment but I can't see why he won't sign a years extension after we nursed him back to fitness after a season out.
Firk me Natch! - I'd never have thought we'd get such a naive comment as that out of you mate. Please tell me you were posting tongue in cheek there, or I'll have to nominate you for the 2011 Mother Teresa award.
thats exactly what i said to someone in work today. in my opinion you gave him a chance for higher league football and was patient with him after a not too good 1st season. was out for a season and still offered him a very attractive offer, yet where is the loyalty? i think your club and fans deserves an answer from him now. if he has no intentions of signing then KM can plan the season without him. if he will sign then that will lift your club. he may be waiting to see what players will join the club questioning your ambition.
No cash prize I'm afraid Natch, just the warm feeling of being recognised as on a par with those Japanese three wise monkeys. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil - it's enough for any man in this uncouth world of ours. BTW, when is the little bastard going to sign that bloody contract, the money-grabbing twat?........
