James Milner was offered a coaching role at Liverpool to try persuade him to remain at the club amid interest from Leeds United.
That is according to the Daily Mirror, who claim Jurgen Klopp was so desperate to keep Milner at Anfield, talks were held over him staying in a coaching capacity.
However, after 330 games for the Reds since his free transfer from Manchester City in 2015, no agreement was reached and his departure at the end of the season was officially announced by Liverpool earlier this week.
Milner is one of four first team players set to depart Anfield upon the expirations of their contract this summer, with Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also on the move.
Milner offered coaching role amid Leeds interest
According to the Daily Mail, Brighton remain the favourites to sign Milner on a free transfer this summer, but Leeds cannot be ruled out.
That said, any potential pursuit of Milner from Leeds will rely on them preserving their Premier League status in the final two matches of the season.
They currently sit 18th in the table, one point adrift of Everton in safety and will face West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur to conclude the campaign.
The fact a manager of Klopp’s quality was so desperate to keep Milner in some sort of capacity speaks volumes on how good of a signing it would be for Leeds.
These type of signings have just been too few and far between since promotion back in 2020, with Leeds seriously lacking enough top level experience in their squad.
Despite Milner’s clear allegiance with Leeds, though, it will be tough to prise him back to Elland Road over Brighton given they are likely to be able to offer him European football.