Arsenal

Agent Responds To Move Talk As Arsenal & Man City Express Interest In Sterling

Arsenal and Man City have expressed their interest in Raheem Sterling but the players agent has played down talk of a move away from Liverpool this summer.

by
Fraser Crawford
May 19, 2015

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, lots of talk on the future of Raheem Sterling….

Arsenal and Manchester City have expressed their interest in want-away attacker Raheem Sterling but the players agent has played down suggestions the player is set for a move away from Liverpool this summer.

Sterling’s future has been the subject of much debate in recent months and rumours of a move this summer intensified after the youngster confirmed in an interview with the BBC in April that he’d turned down a new £100,000-a-week contract.

News broke late last night stating that Sterling has already told Brendan Rodgers that he wants to leave this summer with the Mirror claiming the 20-year-old informed his boss during a face-to-face meeting before their 1-1 draw at Chelsea last weekend.

It’s understood money is not Sterling’s primary motivation and he’s more concerned about joining a club who can offer Champions League football and the chance to compete for top honours.

Understandably there are no shortage of takers and the BBC claim that Arsenal and Manchester City have already expressed their interest in signing Sterling this summer, while further reports suggest that Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus are also watching developments closely.

However, Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward has now played down talk of an impending move away from Anfield after releasing a statement saying the stories have been ‘blown somewhat out of proportion’.

Speaking to talkSPORT this morning, Ward said:

“The story has been blown somewhat out of proportion,”

“Raheem and his representatives have a meeting scheduled with Liverpool later this week, and we will take proceedings from there.”

So it appears talk of a move is premature and I’m sure Liverpool fans will be eagerly awaiting updates following this planned meeting between Sterling and his representatives with Liverpool chiefs later this week.

Sterling still has two years left to run on his contract and Liverpool have publicly insisted they wont sell the England international this summer even if he refuses to sign an extension.

Speaking earlier in the season, Rodgers said:

“Raheem won’t be going anywhere this summer, even if there’s not a deal agreed. We’ve made that clear from the beginning.” Rodgers told reporters

However, despite the Liverpool’s managers protestations, the BBC suggest the Merseysiders resolve may be tested if a club comes in with an offer in the region of £35m this summer.

Liverpool will no doubt do all they can to persuade Sterling his future should be at Anfield but if he insists he wants out, perhaps now would be the best time for the Reds to cash-in rather than keep hold of an unhappy player.

There has been talk of a potential swap deal involving Theo Walcott which could make sense for all parties, while I’m sure there are a few players at Man City that Rodgers wouldn’t mind taking as part-exchange for Sterling either.

It’s certainly gearing up to be one of this summers most intriguing transfer sagas and it will be interesting to see how it all pans out. Stay tuned for further developments….