James Milner's contract finishes at the end of the season
The 29-year-old midfielder sees his Etihad contract, worth around £120,000 a week, run down at the end of the season, making him a free agent.
Talks are at an advanced stage to allow Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, whose side face Milner’s Manchester City today, to add him to his squad next season but the Anfield club have made it clear that they won’t shatter their wage structure to accommodate the former Leeds United, Newcastle and Aston Villa man.
Milner is looking for one last big bumper pay day but at the same time he fancies a move away from City in order to enjoy more playing time.
If he is prepared to take a pay cut then a deal could be sealed at the end of the season.
Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League Preview
City boss Manuel Pellegrini would like to hold onto Milner but knows the ball is in the player’s court.
He said: “I think that in our club all the people who decide if Milner stays or goes want him to stay. He must decide what he wants in his future.
“I think that an important squad must always have two important players for each position to win something because you have so many injuries.
“This happens in Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, our team. I think that important players must fight for their place in the team.
“Nobody has the guarantee that you will play when you come to a big team and you have high competition but I think that James has played a lot this season.”
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