Rumour: Arsenal and Liverpool interested in unsettled Manchester City midfielder James Milner

James Milner

Newly-crowned FA Cup winners Arsenal are interested in signing James Milner following the 28-year-old’s decision to leave Manchester City, report the Guardian.

The England midfielder, who was recently included in Roy Hodgson’s England World Cup squad, has informed the Premier League champions that he would like a transfer away from the Etihad stadium.

His decision could prove to problematic for the Citizens, who will struggle to meet the criteria for the home-grown player rule in Milner’s absence, but the former Aston Villa man believes he will receive more game time elsewhere, along with a central midfield berth.

Arsenal are believed to be willing to offer £10 million with Arsene Wenger adamant that Milner can be utilised in the middle or the park and provide competition for Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.

Liverpool are also reportedly keen on a deal, but it remains unclear whether they want to pursue other targets before they make an approach.

Meanwhile, City are reluctant to lose the versatile midfielder, particularly as a flurry of departures looks likely to leave goalkeeper Joe Hart as the only Englishman at the club that will play regularly next season.

A new four year contract could yet persuade Milner to stay with the club he joined in 2010, but with a number of options open to him, with at least two other top four clubs interested, he looks more likely to depart for a fresh challenge.