|
|
Sterling set to agree new five-year Liverpool deal
18-Dec-2012 5:30:00 PM
The Merseysiders are confident that the 18-year-old winger will sign his first major contract, which is expected to start at £30,000-a-week with staggered pay rises every season
EXCLUSIVEBy Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent
Raheem Sterling is close to signing a new five-year Liverpool contract early in the new year, Goal.com understands.
The Merseyside club are nearing an agreement with the 18-year-old on a heavily incentivised deal, which is expected to start at a basic £30,000-a-week with staggered pay rises every year.
Negotiations have centred on the top-up bonuses for appearances, goals and Champions League qualification but both parties are confident that Sterling will shortly put pen to paper.
Manchester United have been among the clubs keen to take advantage of the teenager's contract stand-off should the situation not be resolved.
 |
|
| LIVERPOOL LATEST |
|
| 7/1 | Liverpool are 7/1 with Bet365 to beat Fulham 2-1 |
However, recent negotiations between Liverpool and Sterling's camp have been fruitful, which should result in the player, whose current deal expires in 18 months, committing to the club up until 2018.
The youngster's representatives had been irritated by manager Brendan Rodgers' comment that the winger would be "very foolish" not to agree fresh terms with a club whom he joined from QPR at 14 and where he has been fast-tracked into the first team.
Rodgers has made no attempt to hide his belief that Sterling's career needs to be carefully managed to maintain his hunger and keep his feet on the ground.
"You see young players who are multi-millionaires," said the Reds boss. "No matter what you say, it takes the edge off them."
Nevertheless, the newly capped England international has been a fundamental figure in Rodgers' team this season, starting 16 of the club's 17 league matches and playing 1,411 minutes.
Speaking in the wake of Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, the manager admitted that Sterling and newcomer Joe Allen both needed a rest to recapture top form.
"There is no doubt Raheem is one who does need that breather," Rodgers observed. "I've thought about it over the past couple of weeks. In order to do that you need to have that depth to take him out and put somebody else in."
Follow Wayne Veysey on 
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Goal Special: I-League Team of the Season
Each of Goal's correspondents select their own XI, before eventually settling on a combined team, which represents the best of the lot from the 2012-13 season...
-
Champions League Final Tactical Analysis
Brendon Netto analyzes where the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich could be own or lost.
-
How Heynckes was always undermined
The veteran coach will step down from his position in charge of Die Roten after the Champions League final at Wembley. Goal reflects on how Heynckes was never given due credit....
-
Transfer Talk: Read all the gossips
The Goal.com Rumour Mill is your 24/7 source for all the latest rumblings in the global transfer market.
-
