Leeds return still a possibility for Milner 

Liverpool veteran James Milner is keeping all options on the table as he moves into the final phase of what has been a illustrious career.

The versatile 33 year-old is out of contract in the summer and able to sign a pre-contract deal with foreign clubs from next month.

There has been a great deal of discussions between the club and the player himself and both parties have illustrated a desire to get a deal done.

But to this point, there is no good news on that front.

It has led to speculation that Milner could well end his career where it all began for him 17 years ago at his boyhood club Leeds United.

Leeds who fell heartbreaking close to a Premier League return last season are currently having a strong campaign, currently sitting second, two points off West Brom and five points clear of Fulham in third..

The Echo (via The Sportsman) reported that Milner still follows them with a deal of interest.

“ I’m a fan. I always follow the team and the results. 

“So you can never say no or even yes because just so much changes in football, you never know what happens.

“At the moment I’m a Champions League winner with Liverpool and this year we’re really going for the Premier League, but I don’t know what the future will hold.

“It would be amazing to play for Leeds again but no one from the club has ever contacted me about that.

"People talk about my age and that I’m getting on, and could I continue after Liverpool, but I don’t think I’m typical physically for my age"

The fitness fanatic who has made 19 appearances for the Reds this season and 196 in all for the club says he is also happy to head abroad for a new footballing adventure.

“ I’m open to anything, I’d be interested in going abroad and experiencing a new league, a new style of football, new lifestyle too, but that all just depends on where it is and also on my family too.

But while football punditry is the pretty stock-standard gig for former players and sacked managers, don’t expect the universally admired midfielder to follow suite saying he has got plenty to pass on to the next generation.

“I think I’d be more interested in coaching than the media side. 

“ I see people going into punditry all the time but I think, in terms of who I’ve played for and with and what I’ve learnt as a player, it would be a shame not to pass that on within football to young players.

“Then again you see coaches and managers that are doing well for a time and then it doesn’t go so well and the amount of stick they then get week-in, week-out."