What is turning out to be the transfer saga of the summer could be soon concluded, that’s if you believe ESPN, who say their sources confirm that Manchester City will be lodging a £50million offer for wantaway Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling.
City, who have twice failed with bids this summer for the player, are now seemingly willing to spend a bit bigger to get their man, after it became clear the Reds weren’t willing to negotiate their stance on the fee for Sterling.
Sterling’s future at Liverpool has looked all but dead since the player’s agent made it clear he would not be signing a new contract at any wage earlier this summer.
This move prompted Liverpool to cancel proposed talks with Aidy Ward (Sterling’s agent) deeming it pointless holding the conversation after such a cold response.
Liverpool know that Sterling has two years left on his contract, and it shows as the club have played hardball over one of their most valuable assets.
The club are also in no need to sell the player, which is something else that has helped when turning away the two previous offers, believed to be £25m and £40m respectively.
However, this reported £50million offer will likely be enough to secure Sterling’s services, and behind the scenes at Anfield you can only presume FSG and Brendan Rodgers will be happy with the business they have conducted which will allow them to bring in more players and transform the team’s fortunes after a miserable season last year.
Sterling looks set to be offered a much higher salary than the one offered by Liverpool as Manchester City look to secure young, British talent ahead of the new season to boost their home-grown quota for the season ahead, after losing Frank Lampard, Dedryck Boyata and Micah Richards, as well as James Milner, who was snapped up by Liverpool on a free transfer.
