James Milner offered massive £135,000-a-week deal to stay at Manchester City as Liverpool and Arsenal maintain interest

  • James Milner is out of contract with Man City at the end of the season 
  • The club have offered the England midfielder £135,000-a-week to stay 
  • Milner will meet his advisers this week to discuss his next move 
  • The 29-year-old would like assurances over playing time in his favoured central midfield position 

By Mike Keegan For The Daily Mail

Published: 16:39 EST, 18 May 2015 | Updated: 05:35 EST, 19 May 2015

Manchester City have offered James Milner a staggering deal worth up to £34million to stay at the club.

The England midfielder, who scored in Sunday's 4-2 win at Swansea City, is out of contract at the end of the season and has already drawn interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

But Sportsmail understands City, privately stung by criticism from some that they are not doing enough to retain the services of the 29-year-old, have put a four-year deal on the table with a basic salary of £135,000-a-week that can rise to £165,000 with incentives.

Manchester City have offered England midfielder James Milner a huge £135,000-a-week deal to stay

Manchester City have offered England midfielder James Milner a huge £135,000-a-week deal to stay

Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in Milner, who wants assurances from City over his central position

Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in Milner, who wants assurances from City over his central position

Officials believe the offer shows how determined they are to hold onto the popular ex-Newcastle man.

As revealed by Sportsmail on Monday, Milner will meet advisers this week to discuss his next step.

He wants assurances over playing time in his favoured central midfield position and sources close to him say the decision will be based 'purely on football reasons'.

Milner has played 2,544 minutes and made 27 starts for City compared with 2,343 and 23 last season when the club, who reached the Capital One Cup Final, played more matches.

He has also started all six of Manuel Pellegrini's side's matches against top-four opponents and made the first XI in six of eight Champions League games compared with three of eight last term.

City offered Milner a new contract at the same time as a number of first team stars last year including Sergio Aguero and Joe Hart - although the duration of the original offer was thought to be an issue, as was the fact they had waited until he only had a year left on his existing deal.

The future of City boss Manuel Pellegrini may also impact Milner's future, but the Chilean is expected to stay

The future of City boss Manuel Pellegrini may also impact Milner's future, but the Chilean is expected to stay

Milner has scored in each of his last two Premier League matches for City, against QPR and Swansea

Milner has scored in each of his last two Premier League matches for City, against QPR and Swansea

The Leeds-born star has attracted interest from abroad with both Milan clubs, Roma and two unnamed Spanish outfits expressing an interest.

A move away from the Premier League, however, is unlikely, leaving City, Arsenal and Liverpool the runners in a three-horse race.

Milner recently became a father and would prefer to stay in the country.

Sources close to the player say he is 'torn' over his future and is keen on continuing to play Champions League football - although that may not rule out Liverpool, who failed to qualify for this year's competition, should manager Brendan Rodgers be able to convince Milner he will be first choice in the middle of the park.

Milner joined City from Aston Villa and would be prepared to head south again, with Arsenal interested

Milner joined City from Aston Villa and would be prepared to head south again, with Arsenal interested

Manchester City have a hectic schedule, heading to the USA and Canada for a post-season mini tour 

Manchester City have a hectic schedule, heading to the USA and Canada for a post-season mini tour 

Arsenal's London location is also not thought to be an obstacle with the player happy to move south should he decide to leave City, who he joined from Aston Villa for a reported fee of £26m in 2010.

Milner will review his options at the weekend although his decision is not expected until June.

The player may well want to delay making his choice until he sees what moves the interested parties make early in the transfer window.

Milner's situation is also complicated by a hectic schedule.

After City bring the curtain down on their campaign by hosting Southampton on Sunday, they head out to Canada and the US for a mini end-of-season tour.

Not long after returning Milner will then join up with the England squad for the friendly with Ireland in Dublin on June 7 and the Euro 2016 qualifier in Slovenia on June 14.

Pellegrini's future may also impact on Milner's decision, although the Chilean is expected to remain in charge at the Etihad Stadium for at least another season.

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