Raheem Sterling was boisterously booed by his own fans at the team awards dinner in May. Yes, Liverpool supporters, not fans of a rival club, let the forward have it while he was being honored at the team’s end-of-year dinner.
That’s indicative of how much of the Liverpool community feels about him right now. Given all that has been said during the ongoing soap opera that is his transfer saga, his return to the team today was likely rather awkward.
When Sterling showed up at the Melwood training ground in his Mercedes today, you know he could feel the tension.
His days with the club could be numbered, as a third Manchester City bid could be forthcoming.
It’s been widely reported that City have had two bids rejected; including one for £40 million; as Liverpool is supposedly holding out for the sum of £50 million. City’s owners have given the green light to make a third bid in the region of that amount, sources have told ESPN FC.
Both clubs are looking to this situation before Liverpool embarks on their preseason tour of Asia. Obviously, it’s in the best interests of Raheem Sterling himself to get this matter resolved as soon as possible. He’s made it clear he no longer wants to be at Anfield, as he’s rejected a £100,000 a week offer to stay with Liverpool.
The Independent reports that Sterling’s participation in the club’s pre-season tour of Bangkok is in serious doubt.
It’s been widely reported that Raheem Sterling could be in line for a £4 million cut of his agent’s fee if Manchester City meet Liverpool’s £50 million asking price for the England striker. That’s a unique arrangement, among the professional relationships that players have with their agents; and that reported incentive has likely impacted the negotiations.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous sports talk radio stations all across the country.
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