Newcastle United missed out on the chance to sign former star and Premier League winner James Milner during the summer, reports The Independent.
It is understood the Magpies held talks with Milner’s current club Liverpool to bring the England international back to St James’ Park, however no deal materialised, with both the Reds reluctant to part ways with the player and Newcastle unable to match his high wage demands.
Milner, who has been at Liverpool since 2015, is a two time Premier League champion with his former side Manchester City, and is of course a familiar face on Tyneside.
The versatile 31-year-old spent three whole seasons at St James Park between 2004 and 2009, making a total of 136 appearances and scoring 11 goals before he moved to Aston Villa.
Rafael Benitez made the move for Milner after frustration at his club’s lack of activity in the transfer market and owner Mike Ashley’s refusal to part ways with funds, however with a takeover imminent the Spaniard is expected to be given a huge budget to spend on players in the coming transfer windows.
