Wenger Hopes To Beat Liverpool + Spurs To £10m Deal For Unsettled Midfielder

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, several clubs are linked with James Milner.

Arsenal hope to fend off competition from the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham to seal a £10m deal for unsettled Manchester City midfielder James Milner this summer, according to reports.

Despite recently winning his second Premier League title since making the move to City from Aston Villa three years ago, the Guardian claims that Milner has informed the club he wants to leave this summer after growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of regular first team football.

The 28-year-old started just 12 games last season and it’s understood he’s also aggrieved that he’s been played out on the right wing for the majority of his stay at the Etihad, despite being promised he would play in his favoured central role when he was signed in 2011.

It seems Milner isn’t going to be short of offers with the newspaper suggesting that Arsenal are currently leading Liverpool and Tottenham in the chase for the versatile England international, with the Gunners ready to test City’s resolve with a £10m bid and the promise of regular game-time in the middle of the park.

Arsene Wenger is expected to be in the market for a central midfielder this summer as he looks to bring in a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta, but I’m sure Arsenal fans would be surprised to hear that Milner is a prime target for that position.

Brendan Rodgers is also believed to be keeping a close eye on Milner’s situation as he looks to build a squad capable of competing in the Champions League next season, while Tottenham scouts have identified the midfielder as a possible target for Tim Sherwood’s long-term successor.

Milner’s unrest has added to a worrying situation for City as they are set to loose a number of English players this summer which will leave them struggling to meet their quota of homegrown players for next season. Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, Jack Rodwell, Micah Richards and Scott Sinclair are already expected to head for the exit door this summer so to loose Milner as well would be a further blow to Manuel Pellegrini.

The Guardian claims that City want to keep hold of the former Leeds United midfielder and are ready to offer him a new four-year deal, but it’s believed that Milner’s preference should the Citizens refuse to sell him this summer, is to run down the final year of his current deal and leave on a free transfer in 12 months time.

Milner is perhaps under-rated by many and he’d be a useful player to have around the squad. However, if he’s looking for regular first team football I’m not sure he should be able to get it at the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool or Tottenham if any of those sides have ambitions to win the Premier League any time soon. Is he really better than the likes of Ramsey, Wilshere, Gerrard, Henderson, Sandro and Dembele?

He’s a tidy player, but I just don’t see him being able to hold down a first team place week-in week-out in any of the big sides. The 12 starts he made for City last season is just about his level at a top team, so if Milner wants regular action I think he may have to drop down to a mid-table side like West Ham or even a move back to Newcastle United.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news | Spurs transfer news

Do you think Milner is good enough for your club? Share your views below.