BY TIM PARSONS
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All the force surrounding the demand for Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, must be making his head swell the world over.
The insistence by his manger that they will not sell him no matter the asking price is a reflection of just how highly valued the striker is at the moment. Man united desire him, Man Utd want him, and Queen Park Rangers want him badly.
His agent is adamant that his client is going nowhere, and has minced no words is making this clear. The cancellation of last Friday’s meeting was evidence of the determination to keep the Jamaican born talent in the club, though we can’t help wondering if this is a strategy to drive the asking price over the roof before they say yes. Already an offer of £100,000 a week that beats his current £35,000 weekly fee has been turned down, demonstrating the moral fortitude of those behind this stellar player to maintain their stance on this divisive issue.
His agent, Aidy Ward does not seem to be the most diplomatic of people. He simply says it as he sees it. The message he gives seems to be ‘if you don’t like it, you can lump it’. In the meantime, the 20 year old player might just be silently licking his lips at the prospect of changing sides when he and his upfront agent adjudge the time right. There can be no doubt that once his contractual agreement with the club runs out, he will be at liberty to tell his agent that he is ready to embrace the bumper wages that lie in wait for him once he agrees. It will be foolish for him not to, because a great opportunity might not come his way again. Sterling is a very good player, but not so good to rank among the best of players that have graced the football pitch. If he drags it too long, he may be left blaming the same agent that is acting like Sterling is some god.
Queens Park Rangers will make a mighty windfall running into tens of millions, if Sterling eventually signs. It is all a guessing game at the moment, but I can bet any money that the Liverpool winger is having behind the scenes talk with his agent and any other confidante of his. His current weekly wage of £140,000 a month is handsome, but he will have no complaints tripping that to kick the same ball with a different team of new comrades. In a sport where team work is an integral aspect of quality, it is more than logical to assume team mates also forge a good rapport outside of the official pitch.
Time spent in training together is priceless; surely a strong bond is developed between many of the players in the process. However, footballers all know what the business is about. Making money.Then again, there could be those who ate philosophical about demonstrating loyalty to the club come what may, in the interest of the collective vision of premiership triumph. However, such principle often gives way to the dream that accompany’s the accolade of promotion and adulated riches. Respected players of old and current times have accepted an increase in wages that make their bank balance overflow beyond their wildest dreams. It is hard to see why Raheem Sterling will be an exception.
His agent will have a lot of influence on him, and so will the big shots in the football world. But when it comes to a phenomenal increase in British Sterling, believe me, Raheem Sterling has a mind of his own. He will make the best decision for his career at the best time. The present incertitude that surrounds his stay in Liverpool is one for our speculation, but the star player knows that an incredibly bright future awaits him.
