Manchester City line up second bid for Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling - Liverpool transfer news and rumours: Real Madrid ready launch bid for unsettled Raheem Sterling
Manchester City are the main contenders to sign Raheem Sterling from Liverpool
By Jason Burt
7:24PM BST 13 Jun 2015
City are increasingly confident they will have an unchallenged run for the 20-year-old, with Real Madrid and Manchester United unlikely to swoop
Manchester City are preparing a second bid for Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and are increasingly confident that they will have an unchallenged run for the 20-year-old.
It does not appear that Real Madrid or Manchester United are intending to bid for Sterling after City had a £30 million bid rejected.
Liverpool’s valuation remains £50 million with City at least encouraged that it would appear that negotiations might be possible over a player who, it is understood, wants to join them. Although City are undoubtedly prepared to substantially increase their initial offer – £25 million plus £5 million in add-ons – they will not go close to £50 million yet, partly because they know they are unlikely to be involved in a bidding war.
With neither Arsenal nor Chelsea – for now – indicating that they will lodge a bid, City could be unchallenged in their attempts to sign Sterling.
Raheem Sterling is reportedly keen to play in the Champions League next season
United know that they would probably be the last club Liverpool would sell to and while Arsenal and Chelsea, who both like Sterling, will continue to monitor developments, City are the clear favourites. Even so, there is little expectation of an early resolution to the transfer saga with sources suggesting it could run the length of the summer.
Liverpool had hoped to persuade Sterling, who has two years left on his deal, to sign a new contract, having indicated last January that terms were close to being agreed. The club had also initially indicated to suitors that there was no prospect of selling Sterling this summer, but they might listen to offers next year if he does not sign a new contract.
• Liverpool reject £30m bid from Manchester City
City will also pursue a bid for Paul Pogba although Juventus continue to insist they want €100 million (£72.4 million) for the France international midfielder who is also wanted by United and by Chelsea among a host of top European clubs. Pogba, however, appears to be valued by suitors at around £60 million.
City – who are also expected to move players on this summer – have also registered an interest in Chelsea’s former midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who is now with Wolfsburg.
Sterling was disappointing for England against Ireland last week
Meanwhile it has emerged that City’s fine for breaching the rules of Financial Fair Play is set to amount to just £16 million. City were fined £49 million by Uefa for breaching the rules in 2012 and 2013 but are expected to comply this year – when the club are due to break even, if not turn a profit – with the full amount of the fine conditional.
• Sterling must make up his mind to end torture
The £16 million has already been covered through a reduction in Champions League payments with City also now expected to be benefit from Uefa’s easing of the FFP rules which is expected to be agreed at the end of the month.
The Liverpool winger is unlikely to be at Anfield next season
There were claims in the French media that City, along with Paris St-Germain, will still be hampered by the FFP rules but this is not understood to be the case.
While PSG are fearful restrictions will remain in place for them – they are less far down the line – City will be able to spend more freely through owner investment.
How the Raheem Sterling row unfolded
Dec 10, 2014
Telegraph Sport reports that Raheem Sterling and Liverpool are "nowhere near agreement" in their contract negotiations - the first sign that the two parties could be on the verge of a major row.
Jan 22, 2015
Manager Brendan Rodgers insists the club are near agreement with Sterling and his advisers over a new deal. "I would think that would be concluded very imminently - the player is very happy," he says.
Feb 9, 2015
Rodgers says Liverpool have offered Sterling an "incredible" deal but insists "It is not a case of giving any player - I'm not talking about Raheem here I'm talking in general - what they want."
Mar 20, 2015
Rodgers announces that Sterling and his team have requested putting contract negotiations on hold until the end of the season.
April 1, 2015
Sterling gives an incendiary interview to BBC Sport, where he claimed Liverpool's failure to offer him a contract last summer led to him rejecting their £100,000-a-week contract offer. He also insists he is not a "money-grabber".
Apr 2, 2015
Brendan Rodgers admits Liverpool had no knowledge of the BBC interview and suggests Sterling has been badly advised.
Apr 10, 2015
Sterling is heckled by fans attending the club's official kit launch. He is included in promotional shots for the kit.
Apr 12, 2015
A bizarre twist in the saga sees photographs of Sterling inhaling smoke from a shisha pipe splashed over a tabloid newspaper.
May 19, 2015
Sterling is jeered by supporters at Liverpool's end-of-season awards ceremony, where he wins the Young Player of the Year.
May 20, 2015
It emerges that Manchester United have had an approach to speak to Sterling over a summer move to Old Trafford rejected by Liverpool.
May 21, 2015
Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, gives an inflammatory interview to the London Evening Standard where he says his client would not sign a deal worth "£900,000-a-week" and labels Jamie Carragher - who has been critical of his behaviour - a "k***". Liverpool immediately abandon contract talks with the player.
