There are times it feels like Raheem Sterling is as good as gone from Liverpool, but that certainly won’t happen at a cut rate.
The Reds think Sterling’s price nears $80 million, according to the BBC, and Manchester City tested their early resolve by lofting a $39 million offer for the 20-year-old.
That’s been rejected.
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Could the Citizens truly be interested in Sterling? Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart offered these comments, although they aren’t specifically regarding Liverpool’s young playmaker.
That’s one of the things that make this transfer so tricky. On top of Sterling having another year on his contract and thus beholden to Liverpool, Sterling is worth more to an English club than a foreign one.
Maybe Real Madrid is interested in buying Sterling -- their new coach “admires” him -- but given the crazy fees earned by English players inside the Premier League, the Reds could make a bundle off the debatable overvaluing of young Brits.
Liverpool has a mess of good young Englishmen, including ones I’ve argued matter more the Sterling, so why not make a huge profit on a 20-year-old who has promise but can baffle with poor touches and invisible periods.
In fact, if for whatever reason you land $80 million for Sterling, divide it up on other young English players. Find another Jordon Ibe (Wycombe Wanderers). For $80 million, Rodgers could raid the England U-20 team for several players (And they just added Danny Ings and James Milner. They’re basically ‘Super English’).