James Milner agrees deal to join Liverpool

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Manchester City midfielder James Milner, subject to a medical. Personal terms have been negotiated and the 29-year-old will join on a free transfer on July 1 after his contract expires at the Etihad Stadium.

Fri, 05 Jun, 2015 - 01:00

Carl Markham

The England man, who has won 53 caps, will add some much-needed experience to a midfield which, for the first time in 17 years will be without captain Steven Gerrard as he begins a new career with LA Galaxy. Personal terms are agreed and the move, on a three-year deal, is subject to a medical.

Milner is reported to have turned down better terms offered by City to move to Anfield, where he believes he can play more regularly after making just 18 league starts last season. Milner is also understood to want more opportunities in his favoured central position. Gerrard’s departure would appear to offer such an opening in Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Another out-of-contract signing in the form of Burnley striker Danny Ings is expected to Liverpool’s next target. However, the club’s negotiations with some current players are not going so well. Raheem Sterling’s refusal to sign a £100,000-a-week contract back in January has led to an increasingly acrimonious stand-off.

New Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez, who took Sterling to Anfield when he was Liverpool boss, said on Wednesday of the player: “We admire Raheem, that’s no secret — but he is not one of our players so I can’t really comment on him.”