James Milner has claimed interest from Leeds United came too late earlier this summer.
Milner was speaking in an interview with the Times, where he spoke of how close he came to an emotional return to Elland Road before his move to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 36-year-old was available on a free transfer at the end of last season after Liverpool opted against handing him a contract extension.
Brighton made note of their interest very early on once it became apparent Milner would be leaving Anfield, with Leeds not joining the race until later.
Leeds was, of course, the place where it all started in football for Milner, having supported the club as a youngster before being handed his senior debut at just 16.
Milner shares how close he was to Leeds reunion
Milner says Leeds’ interest did not arrive until after Victor Orta departed the club, with the Spaniard having been sacked at the beginning of May after a 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth.
By the time Leeds attempted to prise him back to West Yorkshire, his mind had already been made up that a move to Brighton was the right one.
He said: “Leeds were interested very late. When there were changes in the hierarchy there, when somebody left the club [director of football Victor Orta left last May and Andrea Radrizzani sold up to 49ers Enterprises in June], it was all speed ahead, but before that there was no interest. By that point my mind was pretty much made up that Brighton was the right move for me.”
It would’ve been great to see Milner back at Leeds this summer but ultimately, with the direction Brighton are going in, it’s hard to blame him for the decision he made.
Given the condition he likes to keep himself in, Milner certainly has at least another two years in him and so who knows, if Leeds are back in the Premier League anytime soon, a reunion may still be a possibility.
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