James Milner may have played his final match for Manchester City as Manuel Pellegrini’s side rounded-off their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Southampton.
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The England international started the match and departed emotionally, to a standing ovation, with rumours swirling that he is set to leave the club this summer.
Milner’s contract comes to an end next month, and having not signed a new deal at the Etihad Stadium, it is anticipated that he will not be at City next season, via the Mirror.
If his substitution against Southampton was anything to go by, when he was replaced by Vincent Kompany on 79 minutes, the midfielder may well have kicked his last ball for the Citizens.
He received a standing ovation and departed, visibly emotional, as the City fans appeared to pay their respects to one of the club’s finest servants over recent seasons.
The 29-year-old is wanted by both Liverpool and Arsenal, according to the Express, with the Mirror recently reporting that the former Leeds United man had snubbed the Gunners to move to Merseyside.
However, Pellegrini insisted after the match that the player had yet to make a decision on his future.
“James Milner will make a decision at the end of the season,” the Chilean coach began, as reported by the Express, “he must decide his future and what is best for him.”
While Arsenal could offer the player Champions League football, Milner may well see a better opportunity to establish himself at Liverpool.
The Reds are certain to lose Steven Gerrard this summer, while Raheem Sterling is also rumoured to be leaving the club having confirmed that he will not be signing a new deal at Anfield, according to ESPN.
The versatile Milner, who can play in the centre of midfield or on either flank, could be an adequate replacement for either man, and would certainly help ease the trauma should Liverpool lose two of their best players.
Similarly, with Gerrard having played his last game for the club, Milner boasts the kind of top level experience that would help compensate for the icon’s departure.