Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Bitter Liverpool rival failed with unimaginable James Milner hijack despite offering ‘lucrative’ terms

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and midfielder James Milner

James Milner dismissed a shock offer to join a bitter Liverpool rival in favour of joining Brighton despite the terms proposed being ‘lucrative’, per a report.

The Reds vice-captain, 37, will bring his Anfield career to a close at season’s end. Milner will go down as one of the greatest free agent signings in Premier League history after a trophy-laden eight-year stint since joining from Man City in 2015.

Milner’s role has diminished over recent years, with the versatile veteran generally deployed off the bench late in games this season.

However, that’s where his leadership comes to the fore, and according to Fabrizio Romano, Brighton will be the next club to benefit from his experience.

The transfer guru reported Brighton have seen their proposal to Milner accepted, with the midfielder poised to sign a one-year deal at the AMEX.

While not stated, a reason Brighton have moved for Milner might be the wealth of European experience he’ll bring.

Despite a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Everton on Monday, the Seagulls remain on course to qualify for Europe in some capacity next season.

Very few in Roberto De Zerbi’s ranks have European experience, unlike Milner who is a veteran of 17 different European campaigns through his spells at Newcastle, Aston Villa, Man City and Liverpool.

However, according to Football Insider, Milner’s next move could’ve been so very different.

They report a shock cross-city switch to bitter Liverpool rivals Everton was a genuine option.

Milner knocked late Everton offer into touch

Indeed, FI claim the cash-strapped Toffees viewed Milner as an ideal free agent signing and ‘made a late move’ to hijack Brighton’s deal.

However, Milner is understood to have snubbed Everton’s ‘lucrative’ offer in a decision that’ll no doubt go down well with the Liverpool faithful.

Milner’s exit will be just one piece of a mass midfield exodus at Liverpool this summer.

No new contracts are on the horizon for Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Both players will become free agents at season’s end.

Elsewhere, Juventus loanee, Arthur Melo, recently confirmed he’ll leave Liverpool once his loan expires. The Reds did hold an option to buy worth around £32m, though it won’t be triggered.

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