Raheem Sterling Discusses Contract Negotiations with Liverpool in BBC Interview

  


Raheem Sterling has reacted to the ongoing speculation surrounding his future after he turned down a contract extension with Liverpool, dismissing the notion he's a "money-grabbing 20-year-old" and insisting he's focused on silverware, not dollar signs:

As reported by BBC Sport's Natalie Pirks, he also made it clear he has no intention of signing any deal before the end of the season:

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 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.

I don't want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old

I just want to be seen as a kid who loves to play football and to do the best for the team.

[...]I just want to focus on football and, when it gets to the end of the season, assess my position as a 20-year-old player playing in the Premier League

The speculation surrounding Sterling and his future continues to ramp up, with numerous reports indicating the player and Liverpool are currently involved in something of a stand-off.

According to The Independent's Jack Pitt-Brooke, the Reds are leaning toward a sale, rather than increasing their offer:

Pundits have come out in force to try and make sense of the current situation, and the likes of Harry Redknapp have been very critical of the young England international, as reported by the Daily Mirror'sJacob Murtagh.

The numerous reports of extensions being offered and turned down while other clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedlypreparing moves of their own have also led to plenty of hilarity on social media, via Bleacher Report UK:

Much of the drama is likely fuelled by the reports themselves, however. As former England international Gary Lineker noted, some media outlets have gone way overboard with their coverage, and he can't blame the youngster for actually waiting until the end of the campaign:

At this point in time, it's impossible to say how this saga will play out. Sterling's development at Liverpool has been excellent, and conventional wisdom says a contract extension is still the best solution for all parties involved.

But with the Reds currently battling for a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League, the focus of everyone involved should be on the current Premier League race, more than whether or not Sterling puts pen to paper on a new deal.

Fans would love for Sterling to sign on the dotted line tomorrow, but perhaps they'd like it even more if he were able to focus on playing right now and worry about his contract later.