Why English stars are so expensive

ENGLISH players are likely to cost more in transfer fees because Premier League clubs are reluctant to let their contracts run down, according to a top football finance expert.

James Milner moved into the top 10 of English player transfers when he joined Manchester City from Aston Villa for £18 million (€21.8m), with Stephen Ireland going in the opposite direction.

Milner’s fee contrasts with that of Germany’s World Cup midfield sensation Mesut Ozil, who joined Real Madrid from Werder Bremen for a bargain €15m.