Chelsea

Man Utd Steal March On Chelsea After Making Formal Approach For Raheem Sterling

Manchester United have stolen a march on Chelsea after lodging a formal enquiry to Liverpool about the prospect of signing Raheem Sterling this summer

by
Fraser Crawford
May 21, 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, Manchester United have made an ambitious move for Raheem Sterling…

Manchester United have stolen a march on Chelsea after lodging a formal enquiry to Liverpool about the prospect of signing Raheem Sterling this summer, according to reports today.

Sterling’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months and reports earlier this week claimed that the attacker has already made it clear to Brendan Rodgers that he won’t be signing a new contract and he wants out of Anfield at the end of the season.

Understandably there is no shortage of interest with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus all understood to be keeping a close eye on his situation, while reports on Wednesday suggested that Jose Mourinho was ready to cash-in on Oscar and Juan Cuadrado to fund a move for Sterling.

However, it appears Manchester United have now thrown their hat into the ring as the Telegraph are one of several media outlets who’re reporting today that Louis van Gaal’s men have made formal contact with Liverpool to express their interest and ask how much a deal would cost.

The newspaper claims that Liverpool immediately rejected the approach by insisting Sterling was not for sale this summer and they also made it clear they would never do business with their fierce North-West rivals.

It remains to be seen whether United will accept defeat and walk away or test Liverpool’s patience by returning with a formal offer, but it was certainly an audacious move by van Gaal.

The Telegraph suggest that while Liverpool are publicly adamant they won’t entertain any offers for Sterling this summer, the Merseysiders may be tempted if a bid of £50m was put on the table. However, even if United were willing to match that figure, it would be a huge shock if any deal between the two clubs was to be agreed as no player has moved directly between United and Liverpool since 1964.

Sterling has already irritated the Anfield faithful with his antics so far, and he felt the wrath of the supporters after being booed as he collected his Young Player of the Year Award earlier this week, but he’d become a real hate-figure if he was ever to move to United.

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.

The situation should become a lot clearer after Sterling and his agent meet with Liverpool officials on Friday. The Telegraph claim that Sterling will once again express his desire to leave but the Reds are expected to make it clear they are willing to hold him to his contract.

Liverpool proved they are willing to play hard-ball when they blocked Luis Suarez’s exit in 2013 but we’ll have to wait and see whether they do likewise with Sterling, or if the 20-year-old is able to force a move.