Raheem Sterling turned down a £100,000 per week contract from Liverpool and is asking for £140,000 after being underpaid since he was 18, on a £30,000 per week contract, with others around him contributing less and earning more, according to Times Football editor Tony Evans.
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In a series of posts to his Twitter account, Evans also claimed that the figure asked for by the England and Liverpool winger was more than Daniel Sturridge is currently earning. Incidentally, Fenway Sports Group, current owners of the Anfield club, believe that Sturridge is the more vital asset to to the club’s success.
Regarding the future of Sterling – who is without doubt a huge asset to Liverpool – Evans states that FSG have no intention of selling the player, and will play hardball with any club making an approach for him, much like the negotiations over Luis Suarez’s transfer to Barcelona.
It was also revealed that a club likely to be interested would be current Premier League champions Manchester City, who will be on the lookout for young English players in the summer, seemingly to fulfil their homegrown player quota.
James Milner is out of contract this summer, meaning City will have major work to do if they are to adhere to homegrown requirements.
Ok *deep breath* Sterling. Wait until you’ve read the lot. He’s been underpaid since he was 18. The 30k (now 35) was a bad deal. 1/?
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) April 1, 2015
It should have been 50k rising with appearances. It’s cost the kid a lot of money and others were earning far more and contributing less 2/?
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) April 1, 2015
Now, he was offered 100k. Asked for 140k. That’s more than Sturridge, who FSG think will be the star 3/?
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) April 1, 2015
Never going to happen. What now? Advisors think City will be looking for English youngsters in summer. They will. FSG will play hardball 4/?
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) April 1, 2015
They did with Suarez. But make no mistake. They don’t want him to leave. They don’t want to cash in. They don’t want to overpay 5/?
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) April 1, 2015
They want to win. That way, the club has more value. If and when they sell, they want best price. Comes from winning 6/7
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) April 1, 2015
But they don’t want to overspend. They have a clear vision of how the club runs. Agree or not, they have a policy (lost count now)
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) April 1, 2015
If I was Sterling’s agent, I’d ask for 120 with a 45m buyout clause. Play every week and keep my options open
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) April 1, 2015