Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Raheem Sterling and Brendan Rodgers' Plans

The future of Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling has stirred hyperbolic speculation this week, but even amid a whirlwind of untamed transfer chatter, rumours linking the winger with a move to Manchester United seem rather outlandish.

Nonetheless, The Sun has splashed a story on its back page claiming the Red Devils will look to lure the England international to Old Trafford and will spend £50 million to do so, per Neil Henderson of the BBC:

An interview conducted by the player this week with BBC Sport revealed that he’s rejected a contract with Liverpool and, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, Arsenal are interested in signing the player. It has also been reported that Chelsea are keen on the 20-year-old too, according to Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail.

Given his immense talent, it’s little surprise to see so many clubs apparently looking to capitalise on this transfer wrangle. As noted by Sky Sports HQ, Sterling has been one of the standout players in the Premier League so far this season:

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been vociferous in his response to the speculation, insisting that the player is going nowhere, per BBC Sport.

With two years left to run on his current contract at the end of the season, the Reds are certainly under no pressure to sell; if anything, this festering saga has made Sterling look a lot worse than the club itself.

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Nonetheless, former England international striker Gary Lineker thinks the player has every right to pursue potential options elsewhere if he so wishes:

That may be so, but there’s absolutely no chance whatsoever Liverpool would sell their star asset to Manchester United. The clubs harbour an eternal, bitter rivalry, and given both of these former juggernauts of the English game are striving to retake their place among European football’s elite, the Reds would not give the Red Devils a kickstart by selling them their brightest young talent.

Indeed, as noted by David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo, it’s been more than half a century since the two clubs conducted successful transfer business, with Phil Chisnall swapping Manchester for Merseyside back in April 1964. It’d be an enormous surprise to see Sterling become the latest player to cross this ferocious divide.

English Interest in Juan Iturbe

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The agent of Roma star Juan Iturbe has revealed that there has been interest in the player from English clubs, with the Reds reportedly keen on bringing the winger to Anfield.

As noted by Jamie Sanderson of Metro, it seems as though the player is unhappy with how the Giallorossi have handled a recent injury: “Iturbe’s injury was not well understood by Roma and that didn’t give him confidence,” said the player’s representative Gustavo Mascardi. “Will he leave? There are very good proposals from England for him.”

According to the piece, the Reds are keen. Here’s a glimpse at what Itubre could potentially bring to Anfield:

After a big-money move to the Italian capital last summer, things haven’t gone quite to plan for the Argentinian at the Stadio Olimpico. He’s struggled to nail down a regular spot in the team, and while his ability is beyond doubt, as of yet the 21-year-old has yet to strike a consistency to complement his thrilling fundamental skills.

Regardless, Iturbe would still be a major coup for Liverpool should they broker a deal. However, as noted by David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com, the former Porto star would probably come at a premium:

It’s a price that could be worth paying, however. Indeed, Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell actually tipped Iturbe to become the first-ever £100 million player earlier in the season:

While Iturbe has yet to catch fire in Roma colours, it’d be peculiar for them to cash in this summer. The 21-year-old boasts incredible potential, and as he continues to refine various facets of his game, the winger has the quality to take Serie A by storm. It’s a development that should be spectacular and one the Stadio Olimpico faithful would love to witness.

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Liverpool should have the financial muscle to test Roma’s resolve, and if the Reds can secure Champions League football next season, then they’d represent a hugely attractive proposition. But the Giallorossi remain the best place for this precocious talent to shape his malleable skill set.