RAHEEM STERLING

[txj]

I believe things could have been handled better, but it is not fair to lay the blame on the player and his representative alone. The Club and their bullying ex-players have acted just as bad if not worse, especially the like of Carragher who effectively tried to bully the player.

Waffi, it takes two to tango.

And Liverpool is an institution... they will win that battle everyday and twice on Sunday. That was what I was inferring with getting better representation...

Dude better pray he is not labeled...

Sterling will force his way out to City. His actions are not spontaneous, they are calculated. Players now have all the power and Sterling knows that if Liverpool hold out his value drops. They have to sell and it is only a question of time.

Its not in every case that a player has all the power. If it was Suarez would've gone to Arsenal two years ago.

You really should get ur facts right!!!

His actions might be calculated, but they haven't led him anywhere so far, and are also damaging him severely.

Either way Liverpool stand to make a profit from his transfer. What is more, he Sterling stands to loose out on the difference between 35k and 100k, every month that he holds out!

The reality is, with 2yrs on his contract, this is a no contest...

This is an ownership group that could put Suarez in the reserves! They will sell him only when they get what they want and not before...

[Waffiman]

I believe things could have been handled better, but it is not fair to lay the blame on the player and his representative alone. The Club and their bullying ex-players have acted just as bad if not worse, especially the like of Carragher who effectively tried to bully the player.

Waffi, it takes two to tango.

And Liverpool is an institution... they will win that battle everyday and twice on Sunday. That was what I was inferring with getting better representation...

Dude better pray he is not labeled...

Sterling will force his way out to City. His actions are not spontaneous, they are calculated. Players now have all the power and Sterling knows that if Liverpool hold out his value drops. They have to sell and it is only a question of time.

Its not in every case that a player has all the power. If it was Suarez would've gone to Arsenal two years ago.

You really should get ur facts right!!!

His actions might be calculated, but they haven't led him anywhere so far, and are also damaging him severely.

Either way Liverpool stand to make a profit from his transfer. What is more, he Sterling stands to loose out on the difference between 35k and 100k, every month that he holds out!

The reality is, with 2yrs on his contract, this is a no contest...

This is an ownership group that could put Suarez in the reserves! They will sell him only when they get what they want and not before...

Sterling knows Liverpool must sell this window because he has 2 yrs left and if he is not sold, his value drops.
Sterling will/has forced Liverpool to negotiate with City and because there is only City, Liverpool will not get the price they want for the player.

Liverpool would rather keep the player, but they have been forced into the option they do not want.

Your talk about the back pay difference 35k and 100k is laughable. The fact is Sterling is joining City for the crazy money he has been offered. That back pay is chicken feed in the grand scheme of things. Sterling gas been offered a basic of over 200k per week and if the talk on the radio here is true, they are saying City has more than doubled every offer Liverpool made to Sterling.

They got lucky with the Suarez situation. Suarez showed respect and signed a new deal with a clause that facilitated his departure. Sterling is showing no such respect and will win this window when he gets his move and money. Indeed, word is he only returned to training because Liverpool and City are now talking.

[txj]

I believe things could have been handled better, but it is not fair to lay the blame on the player and his representative alone. The Club and their bullying ex-players have acted just as bad if not worse, especially the like of Carragher who effectively tried to bully the player.

Waffi, it takes two to tango.

And Liverpool is an institution... they will win that battle everyday and twice on Sunday. That was what I was inferring with getting better representation...

Dude better pray he is not labeled...

Sterling will force his way out to City. His actions are not spontaneous, they are calculated. Players now have all the power and Sterling knows that if Liverpool hold out his value drops. They have to sell and it is only a question of time.

Its not in every case that a player has all the power. If it was Suarez would've gone to Arsenal two years ago.

You really should get ur facts right!!!

His actions might be calculated, but they haven't led him anywhere so far, and are also damaging him severely.

Either way Liverpool stand to make a profit from his transfer. What is more, he Sterling stands to loose out on the difference between 35k and 100k, every month that he holds out!

The reality is, with 2yrs on his contract, this is a no contest...

This is an ownership group that could put Suarez in the reserves! They will sell him only when they get what they want and not before...

Sterling knows Liverpool must sell this window because he has 2 yrs left and if he is not sold, his value drops.
Sterling will/has forced Liverpool to negotiate with City and because there is only City, Liverpool will not get the price they want for the player.

Liverpool would rather keep the player, but they have been forced into the option they do not want.

Your talk about the back pay difference 35k and 100k is laughable. The fact is Sterling is joining City for the crazy money he has been offered. That back pay is chicken feed in the grand scheme of things. Sterling gas been offered a basic of over 200k per week and if the talk on the radio here is true, they are saying City has more than doubled every offer Liverpool made to Sterling.

They got lucky with the Suarez situation. Suarez showed respect and signed a new deal with a clause that facilitated his departure. Sterling is showing no such respect and will win this window when he gets his move and money. Indeed, word is he only returned to training because Liverpool and City are now talking.

Liverpool doesn't have to sell this window, except an offer comes in that matches their valuation. He has 2yrs on his contract.

So far, the offers have been increasing and the value has not dropped. He returned to training cus of the huge backlash.

City were always going to come back for one last try; everyone knew that bro!!!

The pay difference is what he is losing today; not what he is promised, for which there is no guarantee until the transfer comes thru...

[Lager-back]

First off why is city even going for sterling? OK hes English..

[Coach]

^They're in advanced discussions with Fabian Delph too. Good engine, worldly class? Hardly. Hopefully not another Jack Rodwell.

[Cristao II]

txj, just accept reality. Sterling is gone. The only thing Liverpool can do is flog him to another team apart from City. Call Chelsea, Call Utd - any team but City. That is the only thing you can do. Sterling's comments have broken the bridge.

[amafolas]

I believe things could have been handled better, but it is not fair to lay the blame on the player and his representative alone. The Club and their bullying ex-players have acted just as bad if not worse, especially the like of Carragher who effectively tried to bully the player.

Waffi, it takes two to tango.

And Liverpool is an institution... they will win that battle everyday and twice on Sunday. That was what I was inferring with getting better representation...

Dude better pray he is not labeled...

Sterling will force his way out to City. His actions are not spontaneous, they are calculated. Players now have all the power and Sterling knows that if Liverpool hold out his value drops. They have to sell and it is only a question of time.

Its not in every case that a player has all the power. If it was Suarez would've gone to Arsenal two years ago.

You really should get ur facts right!!!

His actions might be calculated, but they haven't led him anywhere so far, and are also damaging him severely.

Either way Liverpool stand to make a profit from his transfer. What is more, he Sterling stands to loose out on the difference between 35k and 100k, every month that he holds out!

The reality is, with 2yrs on his contract, this is a no contest...

This is an ownership group that could put Suarez in the reserves! They will sell him only when they get what they want and not before...

Sterling knows Liverpool must sell this window because he has 2 yrs left and if he is not sold, his value drops.
Sterling will/has forced Liverpool to negotiate with City and because there is only City, Liverpool will not get the price they want for the player.

Liverpool would rather keep the player, but they have been forced into the option they do not want.

Your talk about the back pay difference 35k and 100k is laughable. The fact is Sterling is joining City for the crazy money he has been offered. That back pay is chicken feed in the grand scheme of things. Sterling gas been offered a basic of over 200k per week and if the talk on the radio here is true, they are saying City has more than doubled every offer Liverpool made to Sterling.

They got lucky with the Suarez situation. Suarez showed respect and signed a new deal with a clause that facilitated his departure. Sterling is showing no such respect and will win this window when he gets his move and money. Indeed, word is he only returned to training because Liverpool and City are now talking.

Liverpool doesn't have to sell this window, except an offer comes in that matches their valuation. He has 2yrs on his contract.

So far, the offers have been increasing and the value has not dropped. He returned to training cus of the huge backlash.

City were always going to come back for one last try; everyone knew that bro!!!

The pay difference is what he is losing today; not what he is promised, for which there is no guarantee until the transfer comes thru...

Allow Waffi to be yarning, he thinks every club is run like Arsenal that only see $$$ everywhere. I have never believed a club is totally powerelessness in stopping an under-contract, unhappy player from leaving. But Waffiman tries to make us belive it is so. I think its just his way of rationalizing the many good players Arsenal sold for money.

[txj]

txj, just accept reality. Sterling is gone. The only thing Liverpool can do is flog him to another team apart from City. Call Chelsea, Call Utd - any team but City. That is the only thing you can do. Sterling's comments have broken the bridge.

Huh?
You are talking to someone who would be happy to sell him for 16m!

The issue here is Waffi's attempt to reconstruct history while telling us how Arsenal would've done better!

[Waffiman]

txj, just accept reality. Sterling is gone. The only thing Liverpool can do is flog him to another team apart from City. Call Chelsea, Call Utd - any team but City. That is the only thing you can do. Sterling's comments have broken the bridge.

Huh?
You are talking to someone who would be happy to sell him for 16m!

The issue here is Waffi's attempt to reconstruct history while telling us how Arsenal would've done better!

Absolute rubbish. Never said Arsenal would have done better. Just said, Wenger will not be speaking to the press breaking confidence of his players.

Also made the point that you were talking from the crack of your arse when you claimed Wilshere became over hyped on the basis of a 2nd half appliance against a Barca team that had taken their foot off the pedal. I made the point of correcting you by letting you know Wilshere's hype started from his MoM performance when Arsenal beat Barca 2-1 and the return leg when he also played very well.

I am making the point that Liverpool are not innocent in this sorry saga. Liverpool people like txj want you to believe they are clean and it is all Sterling's fault, this is incorrect. To back this up I highlighted these points:

1. Rodgers spoke first to the media, Sterling and his Agent were grossly unhappy at what they saw as a breach of confidence by Rodgers. They have taken advantage of what he said and how it impacted negatively on the player. txt's assertion that Sterling went to the media first is wrong.

2. Leaks about Sterling's actions have continued coming from the club, but they are not telling the whole story. They are also quick to castigate Sterling for going to the press via their ex-plaers and usual outlets. It is mendacity and hypocrisy.

3. Liverpool have sold the player down the river for refusing to sign a contract but Liverpool just signed Milner on a free - a player who like Sterling refused to sign a contract at his former cub. If refusing to sign a contract was such a heinous crime that Sterling is being victimised and bullied for, why did they not take a stand on principle and say they will not sign Milner for not signing a contract?

4. I do not see any Liverpool persons like Phil Thompson calling Milner greedy but Sterling has been called all sorts including being greedy for to signing the contract offered by Liverpool. Liverpool have also signed a player like Lovren who forced his way out of Southampton like Sterling is doing. I did not see all this self righteous indignation from Liverpool people when Lovren was messing up Southampton. Suddenly, we are told Sterling is this and that from fancied people who really should know better because they are exposing their lies and hypocrisy.

5. Liverpool tapped up Milner whilst he was under contract to City, it is common knowledge that a deal had been agreed a long time ago. City have now tapped up Sterling and they are not happy. Liverpool also tapped up Walcott when he too had just over a year left of his contract, but now they whine when the shoe is on the other foot.

6. Liverpool and their people say Sterling is better off at Liverpool, saying he career is best served there. This is pure rubbish, why is Liverpool alone this paradise for young players? There are many clubs out there that Sterling can go to and progress. Liverpool do not have player development exclusivity like they try to make people believe.

7. Just like you got the players from Southampton that the club did not want to leave, the players eventually forced their way out. You cannot hold a player against his will forcefully. When you try to play hard ball, it often back fires. Both sides in the Sterling saga have played their part in this sorry saga and it will end in Sterling leaving to City. If not this window, then next window or next summer. The player wants out and he will get his way. All Liverpool can do, (like any other club in a similar position) is try to get the best financial settlement from their position.

[Catalyst]

^They're in advanced discussions with Fabian Delph too. Good engine, worldly class? Hardly. Hopefully not another Jack Rodwell.

The Delph move is startling. Indeed I am not a professional scout. They must know something.

[anikulapo]

Fabian Delph is staying at Villa .... Smart man.

[txj]

txj, just accept reality. Sterling is gone. The only thing Liverpool can do is flog him to another team apart from City. Call Chelsea, Call Utd - any team but City. That is the only thing you can do. Sterling's comments have broken the bridge.

Huh?
You are talking to someone who would be happy to sell him for 16m!

The issue here is Waffi's attempt to reconstruct history while telling us how Arsenal would've done better!

Absolute rubbish. Never said Arsenal would have done better. Just said, Wenger will not be speaking to the press breaking confidence of his players.

In otherwords, that Wenger (and thus Arsenal) would've done better!

Also made the point that you were talking from the crack of your arse when you claimed Wilshere became over hyped on the basis of a 2nd half appliance against a Barca team that had taken their foot off the pedal. I made the point of correcting you by letting you know Wilshere's hype started from his MoM performance when Arsenal beat Barca 2-1 and the return leg when he also played very well.

In otherwords u agree with me that the hype started from the Barca game!

I am making the point that Liverpool are not innocent in this sorry saga. Liverpool people like txj want you to believe they are clean and it is all Sterling's fault, this is incorrect. To back this up I highlighted these points:

1. Rodgers spoke first to the media, Sterling and his Agent were grossly unhappy at what they saw as a breach of confidence by Rodgers. They have taken advantage of what he said and how it impacted negatively on the player. txt's assertion that Sterling went to the media first is wrong.

He spoke to the media, but never revealed the details of the contract, except to describe it as very generous. The link u posted supports this, even with ur pathetic attempt to doctor it! The pattern of revealing contract details began with Sterling's BBC interview. That is a well established fact!

2. Leaks about Sterling's actions have continued coming from the club, but they are not telling the whole story. They are also quick to castigate Sterling for going to the press via their ex-plaers and usual outlets. It is mendacity and hypocrisy.

There is zero evidence to support ur Waffileaks tendencies here. There is nowhere the club has leaked confidential info from the contract or negotiations. Those have come directly from Aidy Ward. You should stop these tendencies u have to slant stories to suit ur perspective.

3. Liverpool have sold the player down the river for refusing to sign a contract but Liverpool just signed Milner on a free - a player who like Sterling refused to sign a contract at his former cub. If refusing to sign a contract was such a heinous crime that Sterling is being victimised and bullied for, why did they not take a stand on principle and say they will not sign Milner for not signing a contract?



4. I do not see any Liverpool persons like Phil Thompson calling Milner greedy but Sterling has been called all sorts including being greedy for to signing the contract offered by Liverpool. Liverpool have also signed a player like Lovren who forced his way out of Southampton like Sterling is doing. I did not see all this self righteous indignation from Liverpool people when Lovren was messing up Southampton. Suddenly, we are told Sterling is this and that from fancied people who really should know better because they are exposing their lies and hypocrisy.

You really should be embarrassed for this. I am personally embarrassed for you!...Milner's contract is up; he is a free agent who chose not to renew. Sterling is a player on contract, with two years to spare!

5. Liverpool tapped up Milner whilst he was under contract to City, it is common knowledge that a deal had been agreed a long time ago. City have now tapped up Sterling and they are not happy. Liverpool also tapped up Walcott when he too had just over a year left of his contract, but now they whine when the shoe is on the other foot.

6. Liverpool and their people say Sterling is better off at Liverpool, saying he career is best served there. This is pure rubbish, why is Liverpool alone this paradise for young players? There are many clubs out there that Sterling can go to and progress. Liverpool do not have player development exclusivity like they try to make people believe.

Any objective observer will concede he is better off at Liverpool at this time of his career. BUT THAT IS BESIDES THE POINT! THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE...

7. Just like you got the players from Southampton that the club did not want to leave, the players eventually forced their way out. You cannot hold a player against his will forcefully. When you try to play hard ball, it often back fires. Both sides in the Sterling saga have played their part in this sorry saga and it will end in Sterling leaving to City. If not this window, then next window or next summer. The player wants out and he will get his way. All Liverpool can do, (like any other club in a similar position) is try to get the best financial settlement from their position.

You appear to be confused! Liverpool is not looking to keep the player against his will. The owners have simply said they will not be forced into selling him presently, UNLESS AND UNTIL SOMEONE MEETS THEIR VALUATION OF THE PLAYER.

[Waffiman]

Fabian Delph is staying at Villa .... Smart man.

Delph has publicly snubbed City. Given Liverpool's impending tour to the far East, plus the fact that City only has 2 Home grown players, Liverpool's negotiating position is now strengthened. Expect a deal to be struck and Sterling to be a City player making him an extremely rich boy.

Liverpool's obviously ave played hard ball but they missed the trick twice. This is another reason why I am critical of their management. If they offered Sterling a contract when they finished 2nd, he would have signed it and still be a Liverpool player today. They offered Sturridge why not Sterling too? A costly miss for a player they wanted to keep.

The figures being touted for Sterling's package is mind boggling for a player who has not proved a thing. This is why Sterling did not give a damn and was ready to do anything to get out. City has offered to double all bonuses he was due at Liverpool if he signed a new contract. Also Liverpool was supposed to be offering him 100G wkly, but we hear Sterling has been offered a basic payoff £220k per week back dated.

For me, this is just a pain because Arsenal have all these young English/British players (Wilshere, Ox, Ramsey, Gibbs, etc etc. City had already approached Wilshere and we hear his people are using this offer as leverage for a new deal for Wilshere. More disturbing for Arsenal is the fact that Oxlade's Dad has changed Agency and there is talk that his next Agent could be Sterling's Agent. I am not saying this is a good or bad thing, but we know Arsenal worked very well with Ox's previous Agent. You just never know how the relationship will develop with a new Agent because Agentsare human and they have allegiances as well as the desire to make money for their clients and themselves.

Good luck to Sterling but the Fenway Group has already stated the importance of capping player's wages, they have also pinned a lot of hope on FFP. This has not helped them with Sterling, Liverpool has lost a quality young player because of the petro dollars of City. Whilst Liverpool have not handled things well, we cannot be of any doubt, Sterling is only leaving Liverpool because of the money.

According to the journalist John Cross on the radio, he said Sterling's (who is a London boy) preference was Arsenal but his Agent drove him in the direction of City. All of Sterling's actions were done at the advice of representatives from all parties involved in Sterling leaving Liverpool. Sterling was never going to be a loser and he will be paid in full. This is a classic example of how the relaxation of FFP rules are just bad for the game, how can paying this type of money to a player like Sterling be good for the game?

[Waffiman]

txj, just accept reality. Sterling is gone. The only thing Liverpool can do is flog him to another team apart from City. Call Chelsea, Call Utd - any team but City. That is the only thing you can do. Sterling's comments have broken the bridge.

Huh?
You are talking to someone who would be happy to sell him for 16m!

The issue here is Waffi's attempt to reconstruct history while telling us how Arsenal would've done better!

Absolute rubbish. Never said Arsenal would have done better. Just said, Wenger will not be speaking to the press breaking confidence of his players.

In otherwords, that Wenger (and thus Arsenal) would've done better!

That's only your interpretation, not what I wrote.

Also made the point that you were talking from the crack of your arse when you claimed Wilshere became over hyped on the basis of a 2nd half appliance against a Barca team that had taken their foot off the pedal. I made the point of correcting you by letting you know Wilshere's hype started from his MoM performance when Arsenal beat Barca 2-1 and the return leg when he also played very well.

In otherwords u agree with me that the hype started from the Barca game!

You twist, you turn, you obfuscate, you condescend and you even insult. But it does not and will not change what you wrote, no matter what dirty tactics you employ in a discourse. The fact remains, you posted wrong information trying to rubbish Wilshere as factual. But you were wrong, so I corrected you. Why not for a change be a man and admit you were wrong instead of trying to twist the debate claiming I agree with you. Absolute rubbish. I do not agree with you, how can I agree with the rubbish you wrote? Fact is Wilshere hype did not start when he played a 2nd half against a Barca team that had taken his foot off the pedal like you claimed. This is why I do not agree, it is factually inaccurate.

I am making the point that Liverpool are not innocent in this sorry saga. Liverpool people like txj want you to believe they are clean and it is all Sterling's fault, this is incorrect. To back this up I highlighted these points:

1. Rodgers spoke first to the media, Sterling and his Agent were grossly unhappy at what they saw as a breach of confidence by Rodgers. They have taken advantage of what he said and how it impacted negatively on the player. txt's assertion that Sterling went to the media first is wrong.

He spoke to the media, but never revealed the details of the contract, except to describe it as very generous. The link u posted supports this, even with ur pathetic attempt to doctor it! The pattern of revealing contract details began with Sterling's BBC interview. That is a well established fact!

My position on this is, who spoke first to the media about a contract and what effect has it had on the whole process? Rodgers words the media and the reactions it generated (note, the interview was not innocent, it was a tactic by Rodgers to put Liverpool in a strong position for negotiations) backfired against Liverpool. The player's Agent pounced on it and used it as the basis to engineer the departure of the player.

2. Leaks about Sterling's actions have continued coming from the club, but they are not telling the whole story. They are also quick to castigate Sterling for going to the press via their ex-plaers and usual outlets. It is mendacity and hypocrisy.

There is zero evidence to support ur Waffileaks tendencies here. There is nowhere the club has leaked confidential info from the contract or negotiations. Those have come directly from Aidy Ward. You should stop these tendencies u have to slant stories to suit ur perspective.

Evidence all over the papers. The leaks are from both parties in this sorry saga.

3. Liverpool have sold the player down the river for refusing to sign a contract but Liverpool just signed Milner on a free - a player who like Sterling refused to sign a contract at his former cub. If refusing to sign a contract was such a heinous crime that Sterling is being victimised and bullied for, why did they not take a stand on principle and say they will not sign Milner for not signing a contract?


4. I do not see any Liverpool persons like Phil Thompson calling Milner greedy but Sterling has been called all sorts including being greedy for to signing the contract offered by Liverpool. Liverpool have also signed a player like Lovren who forced his way out of Southampton like Sterling is doing. I did not see all this self righteous indignation from Liverpool people when Lovren was messing up Southampton. Suddenly, we are told Sterling is this and that from fancied people who really should know better because they are exposing their lies and hypocrisy.

You really should be embarrassed for this. I am personally embarrassed for you!...Milner's contract is up; he is a free agent who chose not to renew. Sterling is a player on contract, with two years to spare!

Milner was a free agent, when he signed for Liverpool, however Milner was once under contract to City before he became a free agent. There was a long period of time (from 2 years till the end of his contract) like Sterling, he refused to sign the contract City offered him. I did not see the sam type outrage directed towards Sterling from the same Liverpool people, they did not say it is wrong for Milner not to sign for City because they stood to benefit. We also know, Liverpool spoke to Milner whilst he was rejecting City's contract overtures, with offers of their own this angered City and their fans come on the radio all the time to make this point. They did exactly the same with Theo Walcott, this happens all the time in football why are Liverpool being hypocritical and mendacious when they have done to City with Milner, what City are now doing to them with Sterling?

That's my point, hopefully, you remove your Liverpool tinted glasses and get it.

5. Liverpool tapped up Milner whilst he was under contract to City, it is common knowledge that a deal had been agreed a long time ago. City have now tapped up Sterling and they are not happy. Liverpool also tapped up Walcott when he too had just over a year left of his contract, but now they whine when the shoe is on the other foot.

6. Liverpool and their people say Sterling is better off at Liverpool, saying he career is best served there. This is pure rubbish, why is Liverpool alone this paradise for young players? There are many clubs out there that Sterling can go to and progress. Liverpool do not have player development exclusivity like they try to make people believe.

Any objective observer will concede he is better off at Liverpool at this time of his career. BUT THAT IS BESIDES THE POINT! THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE...

Well, this is pure biased conjecture. Nobody knows where Sterling's career is better off. The fact is, there are other clubs out there who you can make the same claim for - starting with the top 4.

Let's be brutally honest, Sterling backs himself, that's all that counts. There is no loyalty in football, the clubs discard the player just like the player. You have to look after number one in football and Sterling is doing just that. Look at how shabbily Manure has treated RvP, for many it is schadenfreude. But, it is a lesson to footballers, you must take care of number one and whether Liverpool supporters like it or not, Sterling is doing exactly just that. QED.

7. Just like you got the players from Southampton that the club did not want to leave, the players eventually forced their way out. You cannot hold a player against his will forcefully. When you try to play hard ball, it often back fires. Both sides in the Sterling saga have played their part in this sorry saga and it will end in Sterling leaving to City. If not this window, then next window or next summer. The player wants out and he will get his way. All Liverpool can do, (like any other club in a similar position) is try to get the best financial settlement from their position.

You appear to be confused! Liverpool is not looking to keep the player against his will. The owners have simply said they will not be forced into selling him presently, UNLESS AND UNTIL SOMEONE MEETS THEIR VALUATION OF THE PLAYER.

Well, I have heard ex-Liverpool players things like banished him to the reserves etc. etc. Besides, I have not said Liverpool are trying to keep him against his will, I said you cannot keep a player against his will. If I came across wrongly, I hold my hands up. Liverpool are well within their rights to hold out until they get valuation. It is all they have left in all of this. I will do exactly the same in the same situation and I expect Arsenal to do exactly the same.

All transfers have an element of risk for the buying clubs (go speak to Chelski about Torres) but no player ever loses from any transfer deal of this magnitude.

[benteke]

Sterling not travelling with Liverpool to pre-season tour

On the verge of joining City for £45million

[txj]

Fabian Delph is staying at Villa .... Smart man.

Delph has publicly snubbed City. Given Liverpool's impending tour to the far East, plus the fact that City only has 2 Home grown players, Liverpool's negotiating position is now strengthened. Expect a deal to be struck and Sterling to be a City player making him an extremely rich boy.

Liverpool's hand has ALWAYS been strong in this saga. It did not suddenly become so as u erroneously stated above. Your bias just did not let you see it earlier!

Liverpool's obviously ave played hard ball but they missed the trick twice. This is another reason why I am critical of their management. If they offered Sterling a contract when they finished 2nd, he would have signed it and still be a Liverpool player today. They offered Sturridge why not Sterling too? A costly miss for a player they wanted to keep.

KPOM! This is the only point you have made since u waded into this saga, an issue I frankly could not be bothered with, except for your mischaracterization of facts...And the fault for this lies squarely with Rogers....

The figures being touted for Sterling's package is mind boggling for a player who has not proved a thing. This is why Sterling did not give a damn and was ready to do anything to get out. City has offered to double all bonuses he was due at Liverpool if he signed a new contract. Also Liverpool was supposed to be offering him 100G wkly, but we hear Sterling has been offered a basic payoff £220k per week back dated.

For me, this is just a pain because Arsenal have all these young English/British players (Wilshere, Ox, Ramsey, Gibbs, etc etc. City had already approached Wilshere and we hear his people are using this offer as leverage for a new deal for Wilshere. More disturbing for Arsenal is the fact that Oxlade's Dad has changed Agency and there is talk that his next Agent could be Sterling's Agent. I am not saying this is a good or bad thing, but we know Arsenal worked very well with Ox's previous Agent. You just never know how the relationship will develop with a new Agent because Agentsare human and they have allegiances as well as the desire to make money for their clients and themselves.

Good luck to Sterling but the Fenway Group has already stated the importance of capping player's wages, they have also pinned a lot of hope on FFP. This has not helped them with Sterling, Liverpool has lost a quality young player because of the petro dollars of City. Whilst Liverpool have not handled things well, we cannot be of any doubt, Sterling is only leaving Liverpool because of the money.

FSG's reliance on FFP has nothing to do with the Sterling saga. This was the result of the team not keeping Sterling's at pace with his accelerated development. Like I said, this was down to Rogers. That's why Sterling and his team have attacked Rogers...

According to the journalist John Cross on the radio, he said Sterling's (who is a London boy) preference was Arsenal but his Agent drove him in the direction of City. All of Sterling's actions were done at the advice of representatives from all parties involved in Sterling leaving Liverpool. Sterling was never going to be a loser and he will be paid in full. This is a classic example of how the relaxation of FFP rules are just bad for the game, how can paying this type of money to a player like Sterling be good for the game?

[Chief Ogbunigwe]

Sterling not travelling with Liverpool to pre-season tour

On the verge of joining City for £45million

Only? They should ask City for more money. something like 80 million.

[txj]

txj, just accept reality. Sterling is gone. The only thing Liverpool can do is flog him to another team apart from City. Call Chelsea, Call Utd - any team but City. That is the only thing you can do. Sterling's comments have broken the bridge.

Huh?
You are talking to someone who would be happy to sell him for 16m!

The issue here is Waffi's attempt to reconstruct history while telling us how Arsenal would've done better!

Absolute rubbish. Never said Arsenal would have done better. Just said, Wenger will not be speaking to the press breaking confidence of his players.

In otherwords, that Wenger (and thus Arsenal) would've done better!

That's only your interpretation, not what I wrote.

Also made the point that you were talking from the crack of your arse when you claimed Wilshere became over hyped on the basis of a 2nd half appliance against a Barca team that had taken their foot off the pedal. I made the point of correcting you by letting you know Wilshere's hype started from his MoM performance when Arsenal beat Barca 2-1 and the return leg when he also played very well.

In otherwords u agree with me that the hype started from the Barca game!

You twist, you turn, you obfuscate, you condescend and you even insult. But it does not and will not change what you wrote, no matter what dirty tactics you employ in a discourse. The fact remains, you posted wrong information trying to rubbish Wilshere as factual. But you were wrong, so I corrected you. Why not for a change be a man and admit you were wrong instead of trying to twist the debate claiming I agree with you. Absolute rubbish. I do not agree with you, how can I agree with the rubbish you wrote? Fact is Wilshere hype did not start when he played a 2nd half against a Barca team that had taken his foot off the pedal like you claimed. This is why I do not agree, it is factually inaccurate.

I said he had one good half against Barca, and ur point is he had two MOM performances. In an interview after the game, Iniesta admitted they took their foot off too early. But we both agree that's where the hype started! So how have I obfuscated the facts? The hype started with the Barcelona game..

I am making the point that Liverpool are not innocent in this sorry saga. Liverpool people like txj want you to believe they are clean and it is all Sterling's fault, this is incorrect. To back this up I highlighted these points:

1. Rodgers spoke first to the media, Sterling and his Agent were grossly unhappy at what they saw as a breach of confidence by Rodgers. They have taken advantage of what he said and how it impacted negatively on the player. txt's assertion that Sterling went to the media first is wrong.

He spoke to the media, but never revealed the details of the contract, except to describe it as very generous. The link u posted supports this, even with ur pathetic attempt to doctor it! The pattern of revealing contract details began with Sterling's BBC interview. That is a well established fact!

My position on this is, who spoke first to the media about a contract and what effect has it had on the whole process? Rodgers words the media and the reactions it generated (note, the interview was not innocent, it was a tactic by Rodgers to put Liverpool in a strong position for negotiations) backfired against Liverpool. The player's Agent pounced on it and used it as the basis to engineer the departure of the player.

No sir! Your position is that BR leaked contact details to the press, prompting Sterling's team to react. That is not factual...Throughout last season, Rogers was asked about Sterling's contract during pressers, and the statement on BBC was just one of several he had made. The contract details only came out during Sterling's BBC interview, and Aidy Ward's briefing of anyone who cared to listen!

2. Leaks about Sterling's actions have continued coming from the club, but they are not telling the whole story. They are also quick to castigate Sterling for going to the press via their ex-plaers and usual outlets. It is mendacity and hypocrisy.

There is zero evidence to support ur Waffileaks tendencies here. There is nowhere the club has leaked confidential info from the contract or negotiations. Those have come directly from Aidy Ward. You should stop these tendencies u have to slant stories to suit ur perspective.

Evidence all over the papers. The leaks are from both parties in this sorry saga.

Well, show me one evidence to back up the claim!

3. Liverpool have sold the player down the river for refusing to sign a contract but Liverpool just signed Milner on a free - a player who like Sterling refused to sign a contract at his former cub. If refusing to sign a contract was such a heinous crime that Sterling is being victimised and bullied for, why did they not take a stand on principle and say they will not sign Milner for not signing a contract?


4. I do not see any Liverpool persons like Phil Thompson calling Milner greedy but Sterling has been called all sorts including being greedy for to signing the contract offered by Liverpool. Liverpool have also signed a player like Lovren who forced his way out of Southampton like Sterling is doing. I did not see all this self righteous indignation from Liverpool people when Lovren was messing up Southampton. Suddenly, we are told Sterling is this and that from fancied people who really should know better because they are exposing their lies and hypocrisy.

You really should be embarrassed for this. I am personally embarrassed for you!...Milner's contract is up; he is a free agent who chose not to renew. Sterling is a player on contract, with two years to spare!

Milner was a free agent, when he signed for Liverpool, however Milner was once under contract to City before he became a free agent. There was a long period of time (from 2 years till the end of his contract) like Sterling, he refused to sign the contract City offered him. I did not see the sam type outrage directed towards Sterling from the same Liverpool people, they did not say it is wrong for Milner not to sign for City because they stood to benefit. We also know, Liverpool spoke to Milner whilst he was rejecting City's contract overtures, with offers of their own this angered City and their fans come on the radio all the time to make this point. They did exactly the same with Theo Walcott, this happens all the time in football why are Liverpool being hypocritical and mendacious when they have done to City with Milner, what City are now doing to them with Sterling?

That's my point, hopefully, you remove your Liverpool tinted glasses and get it.

5. Liverpool tapped up Milner whilst he was under contract to City, it is common knowledge that a deal had been agreed a long time ago. City have now tapped up Sterling and they are not happy. Liverpool also tapped up Walcott when he too had just over a year left of his contract, but now they whine when the shoe is on the other foot.

6. Liverpool and their people say Sterling is better off at Liverpool, saying he career is best served there. This is pure rubbish, why is Liverpool alone this paradise for young players? There are many clubs out there that Sterling can go to and progress. Liverpool do not have player development exclusivity like they try to make people believe.

Any objective observer will concede he is better off at Liverpool at this time of his career. BUT THAT IS BESIDES THE POINT! THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE...

Well, this is pure biased conjecture. Nobody knows where Sterling's career is better off. The fact is, there are other clubs out there who you can make the same claim for - starting with the top 4.

Let's be brutally honest, Sterling backs himself, that's all that counts. There is no loyalty in football, the clubs discard the player just like the player. You have to look after number one in football and Sterling is doing just that. Look at how shabbily Manure has treated RvP, for many it is schadenfreude. But, it is a lesson to footballers, you must take care of number one and whether Liverpool supporters like it or not, Sterling is doing exactly just that. QED.

Lets be clear. I have very little interest in this saga, except to correct your mischaracterizations. I wish Sterling all the best in the world, except of course vs LFC. I'm happy for him that he backs himself; he's not the first to so back himself and he wont be the last. Time will tell if that means anything. But there's no doubt this is a huge gamble on his part, and that the club he has chosen has very little history of creating the right environment for players at his level. Nobody can predict his future, but we KNOW that without the right environment, even the best young players can flop..

7. Just like you got the players from Southampton that the club did not want to leave, the players eventually forced their way out. You cannot hold a player against his will forcefully. When you try to play hard ball, it often back fires. Both sides in the Sterling saga have played their part in this sorry saga and it will end in Sterling leaving to City. If not this window, then next window or next summer. The player wants out and he will get his way. All Liverpool can do, (like any other club in a similar position) is try to get the best financial settlement from their position.

You appear to be confused! Liverpool is not looking to keep the player against his will. The owners have simply said they will not be forced into selling him presently, UNLESS AND UNTIL SOMEONE MEETS THEIR VALUATION OF THE PLAYER.

Well, I have heard ex-Liverpool players things like banished him to the reserves etc. etc. Besides, I have not said Liverpool are trying to keep him against his will, I said you cannot keep a player against his will. If I came across wrongly, I hold my hands up. Liverpool are well within their rights to hold out until they get valuation. It is all they have left in all of this. I will do exactly the same in the same situation and I expect Arsenal to do exactly the same.

All transfers have an element of risk for the buying clubs (go speak to Chelski about Torres) but no player ever loses from any transfer deal of this magnitude.

[Mr. Piffington]

Fabian Delph is staying at Villa .... Smart man.

Delph has publicly snubbed City. Given Liverpool's impending tour to the far East, plus the fact that City only has 2 Home grown players, Liverpool's negotiating position is now strengthened. Expect a deal to be struck and Sterling to be a City player making him an extremely rich boy.

Liverpool's obviously ave played hard ball but they missed the trick twice. This is another reason why I am critical of their management. If they offered Sterling a contract when they finished 2nd, he would have signed it and still be a Liverpool player today. They offered Sturridge why not Sterling too? A costly miss for a player they wanted to keep.

The figures being touted for Sterling's package is mind boggling for a player who has not proved a thing. This is why Sterling did not give a damn and was ready to do anything to get out. City has offered to double all bonuses he was due at Liverpool if he signed a new contract. Also Liverpool was supposed to be offering him 100G wkly, but we hear Sterling has been offered a basic payoff £220k per week back dated.

For me, this is just a pain because Arsenal have all these young English/British players (Wilshere, Ox, Ramsey, Gibbs, etc etc. City had already approached Wilshere and we hear his people are using this offer as leverage for a new deal for Wilshere. More disturbing for Arsenal is the fact that Oxlade's Dad has changed Agency and there is talk that his next Agent could be Sterling's Agent. I am not saying this is a good or bad thing, but we know Arsenal worked very well with Ox's previous Agent. You just never know how the relationship will develop with a new Agent because Agentsare human and they have allegiances as well as the desire to make money for their clients and themselves.

Good luck to Sterling but the Fenway Group has already stated the importance of capping player's wages, they have also pinned a lot of hope on FFP. This has not helped them with Sterling, Liverpool has lost a quality young player because of the petro dollars of City. Whilst Liverpool have not handled things well, we cannot be of any doubt, Sterling is only leaving Liverpool because of the money.

According to the journalist John Cross on the radio, he said Sterling's (who is a London boy) preference was Arsenal but his Agent drove him in the direction of City. All of Sterling's actions were done at the advice of representatives from all parties involved in Sterling leaving Liverpool. Sterling was never going to be a loser and he will be paid in full. This is a classic example of how the relaxation of FFP rules are just bad for the game, how can paying this type of money to a player like Sterling be good for the game?

What a bunch of nonsense. If this was 2009 then I could see what you're talking about but in 2015? You're just speaking from the perspective of a fan, you want the old top four to monopolize the top positions forever and don't want anything to break their grip on the monopoly. You want Sterling to stay at Liverpool, a team living off past glory, than go to Man City, a team that has not only won trophies in recent times but is playing CL footie?

The relaxation of FFP rules is good because the so called rules weren't properly thought out to begin with, I've said it here when the rules first came into effect that if properly challenged it wouldn't hold up. You don't have to be a lawyer or a financial expert to see what those rules were designed to do. Now that teams like Milan, Internationale, etc are sinking and add to the fact that Monsieur Platini's son works for the Qataris (who own PSG) they all of a sudden remembered they needed to relax the rules.

There's a new order in football, some of you old money 'fans' need to get used to it. Teams like Liverpool need to get rid of their sense of entitlement, work hard and rise up and stop trying to live off the past.

[ukwala]

Breaking on BBC: Raheem Sterling: Man City & Liverpool agree £49m deal

[Purity]

Waste of money.. Sterling at best a Twenty milla pound player.. 45m pound is just too much..

[Purity]

Sánchez - £32m Hazard - £32m Özil - £42.5m Fabregas - £30m Agüero - £38m Raheem Sterling - £49m

Culled football transfer figures

[benteke]

Waste of money.. Sterling at best a Twenty milla pound player.. 45m pound is just too much..

waste of who's money ? We talking Arab Sheiks here

Cheap for an English player transfer, lets wait till Harry Kane goes under the hammer.