James Milner has left the door open on potentially returning to Leeds United at some point in the future, according to a quote used on Twitter by Leeds United News, who appeared to obtain it from an article by Yorkshire Evening Post.
Many of the club’s fans were quick to excitedly respond, but in reality, Milner also said: “You can probably tell from what I’m saying that I love the club, but I also love playing for Liverpool and I want to play at the highest level for as long as I can.”
The 33-year-old midfielder, who is valued at £13.5 million (as per Transfermarkt), has played 184 minutes in the UEFA Champions League this season, so to move to the Championship would be quite the drop, no matter how much Milner loves the Whites, whilst his wages would also make this move seem very unlikely at this stage.
“To go back and play for my hometown club again would be amazing in so many different ways.” #lufc https://t.co/eAYtxs8p9H
— Leeds United News (@LeedsUnitedYEP) October 31, 2019
We love you James but you’d need to take about 120,000 a week pay cut
— Burls (@burley_josh) October 31, 2019
— DannyOsborne (@Kingdanny30) October 31, 2019
Might need to take a pay cut though #lufc
— Gazza (@Plunkettuk) October 31, 2019
The wages seem to be the fans biggest hurdle, not the fact he’s currently playing for Liverpool, who are top of the Premier League!
— Danny Burke (@17DJB) October 31, 2019
Please
— Robert James (@Robertkas86) October 31, 2019
How much did we sell him for?
— harry (@harry59847752) October 31, 2019
This would be incredible. Come home @JamesMilner
— Josh Miller (@JOSHHM2392) October 31, 2019
Come on son!! We’re all waiting on you
— julian abbey (@1jabbey) October 31, 2019
What Do We Think?
As romantic as this move would be, it’s very unlikely to happen within the next two years. Even though Milner is 33-years-old, he’s still playing regular top-level football, including in the UEFA Champions League.
Crazy things sometimes happen in football, but this transfer would probably top them all. Perhaps if Leeds gain promotion to the Premier League, Milner’s return won’t seem so far away.