Raheem Sterling: Details emerge of 11th-hour bid from Liverpool as report reveals why England star only wanted Chelsea
Liverpool made a late bid to snatch Raheem Sterling from under Chelsea’s noses, seven years after the striker departed Anfield, according to a report.
The England winger left the Merseysiders in a hugely-controversial £50m deal in summer 2015 in a quest to win the Champions League. Sterling has proved a major success at the Etihad, scoring 131 goals in 339 games for the club. He’s also won all there is to win, with the exception of the Champions League crown he craves.
However, with just a year left on his deal, speculation has been rife that Sterling may be on the move this summer. He has been tracked by a number of clubs, though it is Chelsea who are leading that chase.
To that end, reports earlier this week lifted the lid on the staggering salary he will earn at Stamford Bridge. And that move is now on the verge of going through with reports revealing they have struck an agreement over his transfer fee with Manchester City.
With a medical now booked in, Chelsea hope to include Sterling on their plane that departs for the USA next week. Chelsea’s first friendly takes place in Nevada against Club America on 16 July.
Indeed, the Blues appear to have beaten off strong competition to sign the 27-year-old. He was also reportedly a target for Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich, whom all monitored his situation over recent months.
However, an outlandish claim in the papers also claim Liverpool were also in the market for Sterling.
Raheem Sterling only has eyes for Chelsea
The Daily Star explains the Reds made an 11th hour move in an attempt to hijack the move from under Chelsea’s noses.
However, while the article refuses to explain whether Liverpool actually made an official move, it is claimed the 77-times capped England man only had eyes for Chelsea.
As such, it’s claimed Sterling wants to move to a side where he feels like the main man. At City, Sterling had to share his attacking duties with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva.
It surely would have been a similar situation too at Liverpool with competition for places tough at Anfield.
However, by moving to Chelsea, Sterling feels Thomas Tuchel’s side will make a him a regular fixture in their side.
And talks with both Tuchel and new owner Todd Boehly have seemingly convinced Sterling that his future is best served at Stamford Bridge.
With the World Cup on the horizon, Sterling knows he needs regular game time to make Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Return to Liverpool was never on the cards
Despite the report, it seems highly unlikely that Liverpool were ever actually in for Raheem Sterling second time around.
His departure from Anfield in summer 2015 left something of a bitter taste. And while that all happened before Jurgen Klopp took charge, it seems unlikely he would genuinely try to re-sign him.
The Reds are extremely well served for attacking options. The club-record signing of Darwin Nunez complements an attack that also boasts several other options.
These include Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and, still, Mohamed Salah after he recently signed a new deal deal.
Teenage stars Fabio Carvalho and Kaide Gordon are also in reserve.
Does Raheem Sterling to Chelsea make sense?
Will Raheem Sterling be Todd Boehly's marquee summer signing?
And given the transfer fee that a deal for Sterling would have entailed, it’s a rumour that appears highly implausible.
Indeed, the next giant Liverpool deal – most probably next summer – will be on a new, top-name midfielder. With James Milner surely in his final season, Jordan Henderson and Thiago are also on the wrong side of 30.
To that end, efforts to sign Jude Bellingham are well documented. The teenage midfielder will likely cost a British record fee if and when Liverpool do strike deal.
