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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Raheem Sterling is set to leave the club, after revealing that a deal has been agreed with another club. Though Rodgers didn’t specify which club, it is widely believed to be Manchester City, with reports that a £49-million fee was agreed between the two clubs, with only personal details to be finalised and a medical set to take place.
Speaking at a press conference after Liverpool’s arrival in Thailand for their pre-season tour, Rodgers spoke about Sterling’s transfer while also insisting that there were no personal issues between the two of them.
“The situation is very simple. The club has agreed a deal with another club for Raheem subject to a medical that’ll go through,” Rodgers said, according to Daily Mail.
“Contrary to probably the last week or so in terms of what was written, Raheem and I have always remained very strong in our relationship and that remained the case when we left. There is no issue there. I spoke to Raheem at length before I left yesterday,” Rodgers said.
Sterling has a contract with Liverpool until 2017 but has been holding out for a move away from Anfield all season. He revealed in an interview with BBC Sport, that was unsanctioned by his club, that he had turned down a contract extension worth £100,000-a-week.
More recently, Sterling gave Liverpool’s pre-season training a miss citing illness amid reports that he was unwilling to go along on the club’s Asia tour. That proved to be the case as the club left for Thailand on Sunday without the winger.
Manchester City had two bids for Sterling turned down by Liverpool, with the Reds holding out for a bid in the region of £50 million. With the two-time Premier League champions set to match that price, it brings an end to one of the bitter transfer sagas in English football.
Rodgers remains mum on Mario Gomez rumour
Meanwhile, Rodgers didn’t respond to rumours linking German international Mario Gomez with a move to Anfield. Instead, he only said he was looking forward to working with the players at hand.
“My only interest is in the players who are here to work and to prepare for the season ahead. The key for us is that it is the overall team that is important,” Rodgers said according to Daily Mail.
The 42-year-old claims that the club can survive without Sterling, suggesting that the player would be the one missing out.
“Individuals like Raheem would have benefitted from the team.We obviously need the team to be stronger and more competitive than last season, but that will be reliant on everyone, “ Rodgers added.
