According to reports from ESPN this morning, Liverpool could sign bosman-bound Manchester City midfielder James Milner ‘within days’.
The 29 year-old was set to enter the summer transfer window as one of it’s best value-for-money bargains, famed for his versatility, consummate professionalism and wealth of experience in the Premier League, with his Citizens contract coming to an end.
That’s lead to plenty of interest in the England international. As This Is Futbol revealed earlier this week, Arsenal and Liverpool have both been linked with Milner despite the Etihad outfit recently offering him a £165k per-week contract extension, whilst Mirror Football announced Manchester United as late arrivals in the race to sign the midfielder last Saturday.
But today’s reports suggest an Anfield move is becoming increasingly likely. Alongside ESPN, BBC Sport claim Liverpool have made an offer and are confidence of reaching an agreement with the two-time Premier League winner.
It’s believed Brendan Rodgers views the former Leeds United, Aston Villa and Newcastle man as a potential replacement for MLS-bound skipper Steven Gerrard.
I really don’t understand why Milner is so keen on leaving Man City. He’s clearly highly valued by both manager and fans, he’s been offered a massive wage, and is pretty much guaranteed to be challenging for trophies every season (which he can’t say about Liverpool or Arsenal, the latter of which he wouldn’t be assured of a start either).
While he might not be guaranteed 38 games every season, the lowest number of games he’s ever had in a single season at City is 26 (in the league alone – he still played 35 overall). This season he played 45 games in all competitions – more than Navas, Silva and definitely more than Nasri.
I think he actually wants to play CM. Considering he’s 29 now it’s pretty logical. He’s never been the quickest and will only get slower, but technically and in terms of reading the play he’s getting better with experience.
Also, although he’s played a lot this year he could easily be playing week-in-week-out for most Prem teams. Could be getting a bit worried about what kind of legacy he’ll leave if he spends the next three years playing bit-part for City.
That’s a good point, I hadn’t really thought of that. He’s definitely improved his technique over time; the criticisms of him as a bit of a ‘lumpy’ player aren’t really valid any more. Milner and Henderson in the middle sounds like a bit much of the same though, although I suppose Henderson has improved his technique and passing as well. Do you think they’ll be defensively solid enough to provide cover for Coutinho? I like him a lot in the hole.
I suppose he might miss the days of being a more talismanic figure (i.e. at Villa/Newcastle) rather than a cog in the machine; he’ll never be as important to City as someone like David Silva (who in all fairness is one of the very best players in the league).
Well they’d be fantastic together if this was still the 1990s. Two classic box-to-box centre-mids in a 4-4-2. You would worry if it was just them two and Coutinho in front against big teams but I refuse to speculate what formation Rodgers will play next season. Could well be a diamond considering Sterling is easily their best winger and he’s probably going to be sold if the right offer comes along. Looks like Leiva will be staying as well.
Against smaller teams though I’d say that’s solid enough to get away with. Then again Liverpool’s defence isn’t great so maybe not. Classic Rodgers signing though considering he can play pretty much anywhere.