Guardian name exciting primary Sterling replacement, as Raheem demands move

Raheem Sterling doesn’t want to go on Liverpool’s pre-season tour this summer, as he chases a move to Manchester City – it’s something that’s had everyone talking this morning, including reporters at The Guardian.

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Andy Hunter has added an extra dimension to his story by considering which players the Reds might look to bring in, with the money made from any potential sale of our 20-year-old forward likely to be immediately reinvested.

He names Barcelona winger Pedro and Real Madrid’s Denis Cheryshev as two possible like-for-like replacements, while he states that the remainder of our enhanced budget will be spent on a striker, with Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke still the favourite.

Before you get too excited, any deal for 27-year-old Pedro remains rather unlikely. The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Anfield time and again but having only signed a new contract earlier this year, a move away from his current club would come as something of a surprise. The Catalans are also barred from bringing in any new players during this transfer window, although they have signed Arda Turan, so allowing a solid squad player to leave would surely be unwise at this stage.

Cheryshev is more likely to be available, although he would arrive as something of an unknown quantity. The Russian spent last season on loan at Villarreal and did well, scoring seven goals in 40 appearances, but he might not have done enough to convince Brendan Rodgers to take a risk on him.

Aston Villa are still holding firm over their £32.5m asking price for Benteke (via the Daily Mail), who scored 13 Premier League goals last season, while Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette is being talked about as a possible alternative (via the Daily Express).