Liverpool and striker Raheem Sterling have reportedly reached an impasse in contract talks after the 20-year-old turned down a long-term deal that would pay him £100,000 per week. Will the Reds look to sell him during the summer transfer window?
Although Liverpool are hesitant to make Sterling their highest-paid player, they still may not be able to coax him into signing a deal that would make him so. The Daily Mail reported that "even if Liverpool offer Sterling £180,000 a week, he is prepared to refuse the contract." It was also mentioned the striker turned down a number of offers because he's concerned about his role with the team.
The Independent reported on Monday that "there is a feeling at Liverpool that Sterling now sees his future elsewhere and that he is open to offers from teams who would be willing to pay him far more than they currently are." In 51 Premier League games with Liverpool, Sterling has 15 goals and 12 assists. He was named Europe's best young player at the "Golden Boy" awards in December.
Despite all of this, sources have told ESPN FC that Liverpool "will not consider a deal to sell Sterling this summer even if he refuses to sign a new contract." Sterling will hold off on contract negotiations until after the season, but the striker is signed until 2017 and manager Brendan Rodgers said he believes Liverpool are the best club to continue the youngster's development.
According to Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Independent, if Sterling were up for sale this summer there would be interest from Manchester City and Arsenal, who would likely be willing to pay the striker the weekly salary he wants. Both of those clubs would give him a better shot of playing in the Champions League and give him more of an opportunity to play up front rather than as a wing-back.
Whatever the case, Liverpool doesn't seem intent on selling him. However, if they decide to do so, they would get a lucrative transfer fee in return. We'll see what happens this summer.
