Yesterday the papers were saying that Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko refused to play make-weight in Manuel Pellegrini’s bid to bring want-away Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling to the Etihad Stadium and it looks like today the Citizens are pressing on without putting the Bosnian on the table.
With a bid somewhere in the region of £25mil already rejected by the Anfield outfit, the Dubai backed billionaires decided to up the ante with a fresh swing at the piñata to the tune of a cool £35.5mil — an offer that’s expected to also be rebuffed by the Reds hierarchy.
Sterling, who looks almost certain to reject any further contract offers from Liverpool with his agent outlining his expressed desire to head for the hills last month, has two years left to run on his current deal. The Reds, for all of the overtures coming from Manchester, have continued to hold steadfast in their dogged refusal to part ways with the 20-year old. That, of course, could change should an offer in the region of £50mil come in the door, but as of yet, no side has been willing to stump up that kind of cash to secure his services.
Both city rivals Manchester United and Spanish giants Real Madrid are known to have an interest in Sterling, but City boss Pellegrini has been the only one as of yet to make a serious play for the youngsters signature. Liverpool, who struggled in front of the net during last season’s dismal showing, could use the funds raised from Sterling’s sale to bring in some much needed fire power, but the real feeling around Anfield is that they need to be adding to their squad with world class options rather than selling off and replacing them.
