LIVERPOOL LOSE WINGER RAHEEM
Rodgers says he has no issues with the star
BANGKOK – Liverpool manage Brendan Rogers has confirmed the transfer of England international Raheem Sterling to a rival Premier League team, pending a medical test.
British media reported on Sunday that Liverpool had reached an agreement with Manchester City to transfer Sterling in a deal worth R944million.
It would make Sterling the most expensive English player ever, surpassing the R674-million Liverpool paid Newcastle United for striker Andy Carroll in 2011.
Rodgers was speaking at a news conference in Thailand where Liverpool are kicking off their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia. He did not provide any specific details on the England winger’s transfer but confirmed that an agreement had been reached.
“The situation is very simple. The club has agreed with another for a deal for Raheem to be transferred and subject to medical that will go through,” Rodgers said.
“Contrary to the last week or so, in terms of what was written, Raheem and I have always remained very strong in our relationship, and have been up until he left. There ’ s no issue there.”
City had two bids for Sterling rejected last month after he turned down a pay increase to stay at Liverpool.
The 20-year-old did not fly out with Liverpool for their pre-season tour despite being named in the squad.
Sterling signed for Liverpool as a 15-year-old from Queens Park Rangers in February 2010 and has made 129 appearances for the Anfield club, scoring 23 goals.
But his relationship with Liverpool hit troubled waters in April when he denied being a “money-grabber” in an interview with the BBC. He claimed he was motivated purely by ambition.
Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward also angered the club and its supporters in May by saying the England winger would not sign a new deal at Anfield – even for R17.40-million a week.