Former Liverpoolhitman Stan Collymore has warned contract rebel Raheem Sterling the Reds would have no second thoughts about allowing him to leave if he thinks the club's new contract offer is below him.
talkSPORT understands Sterling is not prepared to sign what manager Brendan Rodgers has described as an “incredible” new deal currently on the table for the 20-year-old.
Rodgers insisted on Monday that Liverpool would not be held to ransom by the starlet’s representatives, with Sterling yet to agree terms despite first being handed the offer over a month ago.
Real Madrid are thought to be preparing a summer bid for the England international if he does indeed refuse to extend his stay on Merseyside beyond the two years remaining on his current contract.
But ex-Reds ace Collymore believes Sterling would be better off staying at Anfield, saying the youngster is “living in a dream world” if he believes he can compete for regular first-team football against Real’s long list of Galacticos.
“If Liverpool offer Sterling between £75,000 and £90,000 a week, he is doing exceptionally well on a five-year contract,” Stan told Kick Off.
“If he’s asking for £130,000 or £150,000 and wants to be the club’s top earner, do you know what I would do?
“I would honestly sell him, as good as he had been for Liverpool.
“They have benefitted from the emergence of players like Philippe Coutinho and Jordon Ibe, while Daniel Sturridge has come back and I think they will biff off Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert and get in another good striker.
“Sterling is a player who is obviously important to Liverpool, but I don’t think he’s a huge deal breaker down the line.
“By all accounts it seems that it is true Sterling is a target for Real Madrid, but he is living in an absolute dream world if he thinks he is getting in that team ahead of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema.
“He could be sat on Real Madrid’s bench for a couple of years, not get a game, get forgotten about, not necessarily get a game for England and end up coming back with his tail between his legs.”
talkSPORT understands Sterling is not prepared to sign what manager Brendan Rodgers has described as an “incredible” new deal currently on the table for the 20-year-old.
Rodgers insisted on Monday that Liverpool would not be held to ransom by the starlet’s representatives, with Sterling yet to agree terms despite first being handed the offer over a month ago.
Real Madrid are thought to be preparing a summer bid for the England international if he does indeed refuse to extend his stay on Merseyside beyond the two years remaining on his current contract.
But ex-Reds ace Collymore believes Sterling would be better off staying at Anfield, saying the youngster is “living in a dream world” if he believes he can compete for regular first-team football against Real’s long list of Galacticos.
“If Liverpool offer Sterling between £75,000 and £90,000 a week, he is doing exceptionally well on a five-year contract,” Stan told Kick Off.
“If he’s asking for £130,000 or £150,000 and wants to be the club’s top earner, do you know what I would do?
“I would honestly sell him, as good as he had been for Liverpool.
“They have benefitted from the emergence of players like Philippe Coutinho and Jordon Ibe, while Daniel Sturridge has come back and I think they will biff off Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert and get in another good striker.
“Sterling is a player who is obviously important to Liverpool, but I don’t think he’s a huge deal breaker down the line.
“By all accounts it seems that it is true Sterling is a target for Real Madrid, but he is living in an absolute dream world if he thinks he is getting in that team ahead of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema.
“He could be sat on Real Madrid’s bench for a couple of years, not get a game, get forgotten about, not necessarily get a game for England and end up coming back with his tail between his legs.”
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