James Milner is apparently ready to sign a pre-contract agreement with Liverpool.

The 29-year-old's current deal with Manchester City is due to expire at the end of the season, but the two parties have, so far, been unable to agree on fresh terms, with boss Manuel Pellegrini said to be unable to give the midfielder any guarantees over his future.

And because of this, rivals Liverpool appear to have stolen in and landed the England international on a free transfer, Fichajes is reporting.

It had been previously suggested Milner, who can operate in either midfield or defence, would need to drop his wage demands of £120,000-per-week if he was to secure a move to Anfield.

But it now seems the club are close to getting the player whom Brendan Rodgers considers to be the idea replacement for outgoing captain Steven Gerrard.

Source: Metro