Regrets and remorse

> Sterling feels bad about messy Liverpool exit but admits he was always going to join City

RAHEEM STERLING (caricature) has admitted that he regrets his messy exit from Liverpool after completing a £49m move to Manchester City, but insists that he made the right decision to force an Anfield exit.

Sterling’s acrimonious exit was confirmed last Monday when City unveiled him as their latest big money signing – the most expensive in the club’s history – but he has expressed a sadness over his relationship with the Merseyside club ended.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool fans turned on Sterling, booing him on occasion towards the end of last season and calling for the club to cut their losses and cash in on the wantaway midfielder.

“I was a bit disappointed how I left,” Sterling told Fox Sports. “That was the main problem I’ve had with the situation – how I’ve left it with Liverpool.

“I’m good with everyone at the football club, the manager, the players and I wish them well for the new season.

“But it was really disappointing how it did finish off.”

Sterling has already flown out to Australia to join up with his new teammates on their preseason tour, and the 20-year-old admitted that as soon as he knew City wanted him, it was a case of when – not if – he joined.

“From the first moment I heard City were interested in me [I wanted to join], purely because of the direction the football club is going in,” he said.

Sterling told Australia’s Fox Sports: “I’ve met all my teammates now and it’s been a really good few days, they’ve made me feel welcome and I’m really happy to be here. I think I made the right decision.”

Meanwhile, City are closing in on the signing of midfielder Patrick Roberts as the club look to secure their third English signing of the summer.

The Fulham youngster was pictured arriving at Wilmslow hospital, where Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling completed medicals before completing their own moves.

The Daily Mail claim a fee of £2 million (RM11.86m) plus add ons which could see the fee rise to £8 million (RM47.44m) has been agreed between City and Fulham.

The news will come as a blow to Premier League rivals Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, all of whom have been tracking the young star.

Liverpool lodged a bid of £5 million (RM29.65m) earlier in the summer which was rejected by the London club.

The 18-year-old has made just 22 firstteam appearances but comes highlyrated after impressing with his creativity.

According to reports, Roberts will spent most of the season in the club’s Elite Development Squad as the Citizens are hoping to build a future squad budding with English talent. But they could yet move for Paul Pogba, while Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic are expected to leave the club imminently. – The

Independent