Championship winners Burnley are interested in signing James Milner for free
According to the Athletic (subscription required), Championship winners and newly-promoted Burnley are interested in signing Liverpool midfielder James Milner, now an MBE, for free this summer.
The 37-year-old’s contract at Anfield expires at the end of this season, with no indication from the club of an extension. He took a pay cut to sign a one-year extension last summer. Jurgen Klopp has a wish to keep him, but it seems unlikely at the moment.
Along with Burnley, Brighton and Hove Albion, now an established Premier League side, are also preparing a move to sign the former England international.
The Clarets boss Vincent Kompany, who has done exceptionally in his first in charge of an English club, has played with Milner before when they were together at Manchester City.
So, we can see why a link has emerged out of this competition. Moreover, having gotten promoted, Kompany might be looking for a bit of experience in his squad to help the players survive the juggernaut that is the Premier League.
There are not many better than Milner when it comes to having leadership skills, unperturbed poise on and off the field and tonnes of experience.
Upon joining Liverpool for free from City in 2015, the 37-year-old has been a fantastic servant of the club. He has been used in various positions by Klopp, including a season at left-back, but the player never shirked away from responsibility.
Having won every club trophy possible at Anfield, it is probably the right time to let him go to a club where the pressure is not as intense as it is on a daily basis at Liverpool.
More Liverpool News:
- Chelsea are planning a shock move for former Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane
- Liverpool could sign up to five players in the summer including a new defender
- Liverpool not the only club eyeing a move for Ajax Amsterdam defender Jurrien Timber
For him as well, a potential move to Burnley sounds good. He will rejoin the company of Kompany and enjoy the final part of his career in a rainy Lancashire!
