James Milner is considering leaving Manchester City in the summer to play
abroad, with the midfielder holding initial talks with Milan, Roma and
Internazionale, plus two clubs in Spain.
Milner’s contract expires in the close season and at 29 he knows this is his last chance of a major move. He earns around £90,000 a-week on the five-year contract he agreed when moving to City in 2010 from Aston Villa but there would be a sizeable signing-on fee should Milner decide to depart.
Although the midfielder has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup at City, he would like to start more regularly under Manuel Pellegrini.
Now in his fifth season at the club, Milner has made 139 appearances in the Premier League of which 84 have been starts. This season he has been started 13 times, less than half of the 28 matches, and has featured 34 times in all competitions.
Pellegrini has repeatedly said there is a firm wish for Milner to sign a contract but there is a sense at the Etihad Stadium the player may fancy a fresh challenge.
Speaking at the end of last month, Pellegrini said: “All the people at the club who decide if James stays or goes want him to stay. There are two parts to a contract and James must decide what he wants to do with his future.”
Milner, who is a regular in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, is also frustrated at not being played in his favoured central midfield position at City, the role he drew praise for when playing at Villa and which convinced Roberto Mancini, Pellegrini’s predecessor, to sign him in a deal worth around £26m. Milner is mainly used as an auxiliary winger or forward by Pellegrini.
City are Milner’s fourth permanent club. He has played for Villa, Newcastle and Leeds United, where he made his professional debut as a 16-year-old. He also appeared for Swindon Town, where he played on loan for a month 12 years ago.
Milner’s contract expires in the close season and at 29 he knows this is his last chance of a major move. He earns around £90,000 a-week on the five-year contract he agreed when moving to City in 2010 from Aston Villa but there would be a sizeable signing-on fee should Milner decide to depart.
Although the midfielder has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup at City, he would like to start more regularly under Manuel Pellegrini.
Now in his fifth season at the club, Milner has made 139 appearances in the Premier League of which 84 have been starts. This season he has been started 13 times, less than half of the 28 matches, and has featured 34 times in all competitions.
Pellegrini has repeatedly said there is a firm wish for Milner to sign a contract but there is a sense at the Etihad Stadium the player may fancy a fresh challenge.
Speaking at the end of last month, Pellegrini said: “All the people at the club who decide if James stays or goes want him to stay. There are two parts to a contract and James must decide what he wants to do with his future.”
Milner, who is a regular in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, is also frustrated at not being played in his favoured central midfield position at City, the role he drew praise for when playing at Villa and which convinced Roberto Mancini, Pellegrini’s predecessor, to sign him in a deal worth around £26m. Milner is mainly used as an auxiliary winger or forward by Pellegrini.
City are Milner’s fourth permanent club. He has played for Villa, Newcastle and Leeds United, where he made his professional debut as a 16-year-old. He also appeared for Swindon Town, where he played on loan for a month 12 years ago.
