Liverpool is close to acquiring one of its major targets in Manchester City midfielder James Milner through free transfer as they are set to meet with him this week and if the move pursues he will join the Reds on July 1.

Milner rejected a four-year deal offer from City which will earn him £165,000-a-week since last summer, The Guardian reported.

According to the report, the 29-year-old is also drawing interest from Arsenal and Roma but would likely join Liverpool which will grant him a prominent role as a midfielder, which City and manger Manuel Pellegrini failed to give.

Milner started his career with Leeds United before a four-year stint with Newcastle United and joined Aston Villa for one year before a reported £26 million transfer to City in 2010, according to BBC Sports.

He helped City win two Premier League titles and one FA Cup in a five-year stint with the club.

Retired midfielder Jamie Carragher, who spent 17 years with the Reds, believes that if Milner inks with Liverpool he will have a chance to be the club's new captain after Steven Gerrard's departure.

"The fact that Brendan Rodgers wouldn't confirm Jordan Henderson as this season's captain even though he was captain in Gerrard's absence last season makes me think him and Milner could be competing for the armband," Carragher stated according to Sky Sports.

The 37-year-old also praised Milner who decided to leave a club like City that participates in the Champions League for Liverpool.

"I think it's a very good signing - a free transfer who can play in a few positions and got great experience. A good character which you can see from the fact he's left Man City in the Champions League for Liverpool," Carragher also said according to Sky Sports.

"That shows regular starts mean more to him at this time than being a squad player with more chance of picking up trophies at City," he added.