Will this scene ever happen again? Raheem Sterling stalls on a new contract…
Liverpool star Raheem Sterling has ruled out the possibility of signing an extension to his current Anfield contract until at least the end of the season, claiming he wants to concentrate on success on the field.
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Liverpool transfer news
While this will understandably come as a blow to both the Reds hierarchy and all the supporters who were desperate to see us tie down one of our most promising young stars, but we should at least take the positives from the fact that we can finally, if only temporarily, set this ongoing issue aside.
Talk of Sterling’s potential contract extension – as well as sporadically rumoured moves to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich – have dominated off the field discussions for several months, and the youngster could do well to refocus.
According to the Daily Mirror, Sterling is currently on £35,000 a week, but wants to treble that the next time he puts pen to paper on a new deal. However, the source believes we’re only prepared to offer up to £100k.
Manager Brendan Rodgers revealed that Liverpool had offered Sterling an “incredible deal” last month, only to see it rejected by the player’s representatives – the second time the 20-year-old has turned down an offer.
Sterling is undoubtedly one of, if not the best young player on the planet, but supporters have grown understandably frustrated with his demands. Thankfully, this latest development could be the breath of fresh air we need, sweeping the issue under the carpet until the summer.
The player’s contract does not expire until 2017, so we have plenty of time to sort something out, and if this means that Sterling will concentrate on leading our top four charge and FA Cup tilt, rather than his new deal, then so much the better!