Yann M'Vila Liverpool Rumours Revived with James Milner Set for Contract Talks

Liverpool's long-held ties to French international Yann M'Vila could be revived after Inter terminated the player's loan spell this month, with James Milner set to reopen Manchester City contract negotiations. 

M'Vila has returned to Russian club Rubin Kazan after cutting ties with Inter, but the player's agent Fabrizio Ferrari has told Italian broadcaster SportMediaset (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express) his client wants a Premier League move: "There hasn't been an official request, even though Inter and Torino talked about it when the lad was still with the Nerazzurri.

"I think Torino would be a fantastic destination, but he's got the Premier League in his mind now and I don't know if Torino are still interested."

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers will be all too aware of the Steven Gerrard-sized hole that will soon take shape in his midfield, with the recruitment process starting now to find a successor.

M'Vila is in a glum patch of his career after making just eight Serie A appearances for Inter, but his desire for a move to England may boost Liverpool's hopes of agreeing on a more cost-effective acquisition.

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At Rennes, the 24-year-old was regarded as one of Ligue 1's most revered holding midfield figures, and it was during his four years among their first team that he first emerged in the national team setup.

OptaJean summarises just what a forgettable time M'Vila had in Italy, struggling to adapt at the San Siro and seeing his reputation diminish as a result:

That being said, if Rubin Kazan are willing to let their anchor leave for an affordable fee and Rodgers believes he could revive the player's optimal form, he may still be a fruitful prospect to examine.

Last year, Rubin Kazan manager Rinat Bilyaletdinov was quoted by the Daily Star's Colin Harvey as saying M'Vila came close to an Anfield switch in January 2014:

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In January M'Vila behaved badly—one day he trained, one day he didn't. Maybe his agents had promised him something. He thought he was already in Liverpool. I told him: 'It is not your level. If you go, you will be on the bench'. He was very disappointed.

Now I haven't seen him for a while. I have been told he is in France to cure an injury. Even if he is back to full fitness, I don't know where to play him.

"

It's unclear as to what plans the Russian Premier League outfit have for their midfielder now that M'Vila is no longer at Inter, but signs would suggest he could be prised away from Kazan.

Rodgers will be open to all options, too, after his hopes of landing Manchester City's Milner suffered a blow with news that the 29-year-old is reopening contract talks at the Etihad Stadium.

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Milner's current deal expires at the end of this season, but the Daily Mail (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express) confirms "neither club nor player" have given up on an extension.

Paul Little of the Irish Daily Star believes that while the versatile playmaker may not be among Manuel Pellegrini's biggest stars, he offers reliability above all else:

And with a figure of Gerrard's club standings, it's security Liverpool need above all else, a safe option whom Rodgers knows can get a job done alongside the likes of Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva.

Milner proved his capability in fulfilling a team role when taking up an advanced position in the absence of an injured Sergio Aguero, thriving despite being played far out of his usual comfort zone.

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What's more, the former Aston Villa talisman has developed something of a winning habit in Manchester, a trait Liverpool could undoubtedly do with more of as they seek to move further away from mediocrity.

It may not be long before Milner's ammunition is needed, too, with Bleacher Report's Matt Ladson examining the potential of Mario Balotelli leaving the club in the coming days:

If Milner were to re-sign at Manchester City, M'Vila could be an alternative Liverpool would consider in spite of his recent disappointment with Inter.

A tough-tackling French anchor has all the makings of fitting in well with England's tempo, but Rodgers may well decide the Russian-based midfielder is too much of a risk, despite his Premier League intent.