R1.8m a week not enough to tempt Raheem Sterling to stay
LONDON: Raheem Sterling has told Liverpool he wants to leave the club this summer, and will not be negotiating an extension to the two years remaining on his contract.
Liverpool have offered the 20-year-old winger a reported £100 000 (R1.85m)-a-week contract.
But relations appear to have broken down completely with Sterling, and the club must now decide whether to cash in this summer or risk losing him for less in one year.
Thus far the club have said that there is no prospect of him being sold this summer, and Rodgers has the backing of principal owner John W Henry, but the player seems prepared to raise the stakes in order to get his move.
Sterling still has two years to run on his contract at Anfield, but recently turned down the new deal. He also gave an interview to the BBC in which he denied being a “money grabber”, and insisted he was motivated by winning trophies.
Rodgers responded by saying that the highly coveted forward would not be leaving Liverpool this summer, even if he continued to refuse to sign a new deal.
However, Sterling will underline his determination to leave when he meets the manager and club chief executive, Ian Ayre, on Friday.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Sterling, as have Manchester City and Arsenal. Speaking on Friday, captain Steven Gerrard told Sterling to stay and play for a coach who “believes in him”.
“I think there is no one better for him than Brendan Rodgers,” said Gerrard. “The danger for younger players is they want it all too soon, and go to another club and just become a number.”
Sterling, meanwhile, has come under a withering attack from two of the club’s former stalwarts over his apparent reluctance to sign a new contract.
Jamie Carragher, now a television pundit, said he should be embarrassed to walk into training this week, and suggested a change of agent.
“I’d be embarrassed to walk into training tomorrow and show my face to everyone; even the lady on the reception,” former Liverpool defender Carragher said. “He needs to change his agent. For a 20-year-old kid to be taking on Liverpool Football there’s nothing worse.”
Former Liverpool winger John Barnes said: “Raheem has not achieved anything, he has not won anything.
“He has great potential, but Liverpool gave him an opportunity and he should stay for a couple of years.” – The Independent-Reuters
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