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Raheem Sterling insists he is not ‘a money-grabbing 20-year-old’ Raheem Sterling insists he is not ‘a money-grabbing 20-year-old’
(35 minutes later)
Raheem Sterling has insisted he is not “a money-grabbing 20-year-old” despite his contract impasse at Liverpool.Raheem Sterling has insisted he is not “a money-grabbing 20-year-old” despite his contract impasse at Liverpool.
The England international has rejected what his manager Brendan Rodgers described as an “incredible offer”, with estimates varying anywhere from £100,000 a week to £180,000 week, and has said he will not hold any further discussions until the end of the season. The England international has rejected what his manager Brendan Rodgers described as an “incredible offer”, with estimates varying anywhere from £100,000 a week to £180,000 week, and has said he will not hold any further discussions until the end of the season. Sterling still has more than two years to run on his current £35,000-a-week deal so there is no immediate threat of him leaving, but Rodgers has said previously that Liverpool will not pay above what they feel a player is worth.
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Sterling still has more than two years to run on his current £35,000-a-week deal so there is no immediate threat of him leaving, but Rodgers has said previously that Liverpool will not pay above what they feel a player is worth.
“I don’t want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old,” Sterling told BBC Sport. “I just want to be seen as a kid that loves to play football. It’s not about the money at all. It’s never been about money. I talk about winning trophies throughout my career. That’s all I talk about.”“I don’t want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old,” Sterling told BBC Sport. “I just want to be seen as a kid that loves to play football. It’s not about the money at all. It’s never been about money. I talk about winning trophies throughout my career. That’s all I talk about.”
He continued: “I don’t talk about how many cars I’m going to drive, how many houses I’ve got. I just purely want to be the best I can be.” However, he stopped short of saying he wanted to stay with Liverpool.He continued: “I don’t talk about how many cars I’m going to drive, how many houses I’ve got. I just purely want to be the best I can be.” However, he stopped short of saying he wanted to stay with Liverpool.
Officially, Rodgers has claimed the contract delay was down to the winger’s desire to concentrate on his football and to remove the distraction of a saga that has run since talks began in October. Officially, Rodgers has claimed the contract delay was down to the winger’s desire to concentrate on his football and to remove the distraction of a saga that has run since talks began in October. Asked recently if he suspects Sterling wants to delay to see if Liverpool qualify for the Champions League before committing his future to Anfield, the manager said: “I’m not sure it is about that. I think it is purely so he can concentrate on his football. I think he is a young kid that now every time he is interviewed or asked it is about his contract.”
Asked recently if he suspects Sterling wants to delay to see if Liverpool qualify for the Champions League before committing his future to Anfield, the manager said: “I’m not sure it is about that. I think it is purely so he can concentrate on his football. I think he is a young kid that now every time he is interviewed or asked it is about his contract.”
“I keep hearing I’ve rejected all sorts of contracts,” Sterling said. “Me, the club and my reps have spoken about it and put talks on hold until end of season, so it’s frustrating to hear the contract situation keep going on and on. I just wanted to get my point across on the whole thing.”“I keep hearing I’ve rejected all sorts of contracts,” Sterling said. “Me, the club and my reps have spoken about it and put talks on hold until end of season, so it’s frustrating to hear the contract situation keep going on and on. I just wanted to get my point across on the whole thing.”
Sterling did say that had he been offered a new deal this time last year he would have accepted less than £100,000 a week. Sterling did say that had he been offered a new deal this time last year he would have accepted less than £100,000 a week. “If, at that point in time, I was offered a contract, I most definitely would have signed straight away, probably for far less money than being said now,” he said. “I just think the timing was a bit off.”
“If, at that point in time, I was offered a contract, I most definitely would have signed straight away, probably for far less money than being said now,” he said. “I just think the timing was a bit off.” Sterling’s club form carried over into the international break when he scored for England in the 4-0 win against Lithuania before being allowed to return to his club rather than travel for the friendly in Italy.
Sterling’s club form carried over into the international break when he scored for England in the 4-0 win against Lithuania before being allowed to return to his club ahead of the friendly against Italy. He has been linked with Saturday’s opponents Arsenal, which he said is “quite flattering” but added: “I try to just block everything out and do well. Next game is against Arsenal and I want to do my best. I won’t be hiding. As I said, I’m just happy to be playing football.”
He has been linked with Saturday’s opponents Arsenal which he said was “quite flattering” but added: “I try to just block everything out and do well.
“Next game is against Arsenal and I want to do my best. I won’t be hiding. As I said, I’m just happy to be playing football.”