Following Liverpool’s exit from the Champions League on Tuesday, rumours have begun to emerge that Reds winger Raheem Sterling is no longer happy on Merseyside and has rejected a new contract with the club as they head into a season filled with uncertainty.
The 20-year old, who had a breakout season last year as the Reds finished runners-up to eventual champions Manchester City, is reportedly set to get more than a 100% bump in his wages with a new long term deal worth £70,000 a week on the table, but as of yet, he’s yet to put pen to paper. Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, boss Brendan Rodgers met these rumours head on, insisting that contract negotiations are progressing and dismissing suggestions that Sterling is unhappy with life at Anfield.
“If you look at Raheem’s performances that does all his talking. He is very happy here. I know Raheem very well and you can see he is happy here” said the Northern Irishman in his pre-match press conference before confirming that both parties are trying to hash things out. “It’s up to the club and his representatives to sort out the deal but there’s no unhappiness.”
Although Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti ruled out a move for the talented attacker ahead of their visit to Anfield, their interest in Sterling has apparently resurfaced, with fellow Spanish side Barcelona also apparently joining the hunt. The 20-year old is contracted to the Anfield outfit until 2016, but the Reds have looked to tie him down to an improved deal to ward off interest in their star man. It’s surprising how much the names of the two La Liga giants get thrown around at contract time…
