How Man City’s midfielder merry-go-round affects Merseyside
Published:
A disappointing defence of their Premier League crown and continued failings in Europe mean Manchester City are set for a reshuffle, either on the pitch, in the dugout or both this summer.
While rumours of who Manuel Pellegrini’s successor will be still appear in the gossip pages, it’s news that a midfield mix up is in store which catches the eye more.
The rumours involve a one in, one out move which involves both Merseyside clubs as City reportedly want to buy Ross Barkley from Everton for an astronomical fee, selling James Milner to Liverpool in the process.
Barkley, who hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations his precocious talent has set this season, is valued at £50m by the Toffees. City are reportedly undeterred by that monstrous price tag and are seemingly quite happy to pay way over the odds.
Although not used in the same position as the Everton man, Barkley’s assumed arrival would spell the end of James Milner’s career at the Etihad.
Already thought to be edging closer to the exit door as he seeks assurances on greater playing time, Milner could head to Liverpool, one of a number of clubs interested, in order to feature more regularly in the Premier League.
Having won two Premier League titles and both domestic Cups in their time together, this City side looks to be approaching the end of the road as a unit as many of the club’s core reach veteran status.
Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany are just two one-time key men that could be moved on, while Milner sits alongside fellow midfielders Samir Nasri and Frank Lampard as either rumoured or confirmed departees.
A six-point gap at the top of the Premier League leaves the Citizens as 14/1 chances to defend their crown and a season without silverware could be a tame end to Pellegrini and a number of his players’ time in Manchester.
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