Arsenal and Liverpool target James Milner has fuelled speculation that he is set to leave Manchester City by rejecting a contract reportedly worth over £30 million.
According to The Express, the proposed contract from Manchester City is £165,000-a-week, including additional bonuses. Both Arsenal and Liverpool can make up the difference in wages by paying the player a big signing-on fee. They can afford to do this as there would be no fee attached to signing the player.
Negotiations between Man City and Milner have been going on for over a year and the two parties are understood to still be way apart.
The £165,000-a-week contract would put Milner in the second-tier of earners at the Etihad, along with Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany. The top tier includes Yaya Toure, David Silva and Premier League top scorer Sergio Aguero.
The fact Milner is turning down a huge contract suggests it is not about money for him, but playing time. Having said that, Milner has made 44 appearances this season. Some have suggested the player wants to play more games in the centre of the park. This would make Liverpool the better fit. They have Gerrard leaving and a more obvious need for midfielders. If Milner were to come to Arsenal, you feel he’d have a similar role as the one he currently has at Man City.
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