Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling Set Become England’s Most Expensive Player
Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling is set to leave the club this summer after a lengthy fallout with the club. Sterling is set to become the most expensive player in English football should Liverpool accept the whopping £50 million transfer deal from Manchester City.
City WILL pay £50m for #sterling #lfc (Express) pic.twitter.com/LEZTTMenEb
— LFCZA (@LFCZA) June 20, 2015
Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners are keen on signing Raheem Sterling with the current bid representing their third and possibly last bid for the English youngster. Liverpool is helped knowing that Manchester City will be looking to add homegrown talent to the squad due to a deficiency of English players within their ranks. While there may be more proven players, Raheem Sterling’s youth and experience will provide an excellent opportunity for Manchester City to build on their attack for a title challenge next season.
With that said, the rumored deal has drawn the ire of many within the sport. Ex-Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand criticized the current state of the transfer market naming Manchester City’s bid for Raheem Sterling as a prime example.
English players are soooo overpriced right now it's a joke! Kane & sterling have huge potential but 40m & 50m…aguero 38m & sanchez 32m!!!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 20, 2015
If #RaheemSterling sells for £40+mil then I want to buy a few drinks for whoever negotiated @Alexis_Sanchez for £32m to #Arsenal
— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) June 21, 2015
Should Liverpool accept the transfer bid, they will be expected to replace and reinforce key areas in the squad. Particularly, with goal scorers Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling gone and leading striker Daniel Sturridge out for the start of next season.
Liverpool legend John Aldridge has already spotted Jordon Ibe as the player to replace Raheem Sterling.
“Liverpool have a ready-made replacement for Raheem Sterling in Jordon Ibe He’s a terrific player and has got so much potential. He’s got as much, if not more potential, than Raheem had at that age. He’s a big strong lad, very direct and a better finisher than Raheem. It’s a bonus for Liverpool that they already have one on the shelf.”
Raheem Sterling may have had a disappointing season, the deal could pay off in the end with similar transfers such as Wayne Rooney’s move to Manchester United in 2004, a comparable example of how splashing the cash youth can pay off on a long-term basis.
[Image via Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images]
