Raheem Sterling 'Unlikely' to Pen Liverpool Contract, FIFA Rule May Aid Transfer

Raheem Sterling is "highly unlikely" to sign a new contract with Liverpool, according to Sam Wallace of The Independent, who believes a controversial FIFA ruling could aid the Englishman's exit.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers recently ruled out selling Sterling at the end of the season, saying, "Raheem has two and a half years left on his deal and he's not going anywhere in the summer," per Sky Sports.

The Northern Irishman's attitude is unlikely to alter, but Wallace details how Sterling could force the club's hand by initiating FIFA's Article 17.

"One option that is open to Sterling is the invoking of FIFA’s Article 17 governing transfers which would allow him to buy out the final year of the two left on his deal," Wallace writes.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Wallace notes the 2006 transfer of Andy Webster from Hearts to Wigan Athletic as British football's most memorable use of this rule. He indicates the method is "often threatened" but "rarely used."

Wallace provided details on exactly how Article 17 could alter Rodgers' immediate plans with Sterling:

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It would shorten Sterling’s contract by a year and make his sale this summer the only serious option for Liverpool in order to realise his full market value. In a contract negotiation where nothing is off the table it is understood that Article 17 remains a possibility for Sterling but it is a volatile route for any player to take and compromise tends to be reached before that point.

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Wallace suggests spending clubs are "wary" of using Article 17 to purchase a player after Brazilian Matuzalem's troubled transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk to Real Zaragoza in 2007. The player and Zaragoza were ordered to pay compensation by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Matuzalem terminated his contract in Ukraine.

EFREM LUKATSKY/Associated Press

This wasn't possible, however, and the player was eventually sold to Lazio in 2009 without making his mark in Spain. Such a landmark case, which saw the CAS' verdict overturned, is detailed in full by Lucien W. Valloni and Thilo Pachmann of Mondaq. 

Sterling is said to have turned down a £100,000-per-week contract to remain at Anfield, despite being 20 years old and only truly breaking into the first team across the last two seasons. He appears to be a wanted man, with Wallace outlining Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid as the clubs potentially looking at him.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and James McNicholas recently discussed how Arsenal can get the deal done:

John Cross of the Mirror expects Manchester City to make an offer "as soon as summer trading begins," while Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail also believes a "mega-bid" will be launched "the day the transfer window reopens."

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre recently confirmed the club won't enter further contract negotiations with Sterling until the summer, reported by Dominic King of the Daily Mail.

"Raheem’s agent has asked that we park all discussions regarding his future until the summer," Ayre said. "We respect that. Raheem is a Liverpool player and has two years left on his contract. We expect Raheem Sterling to be here for a long time."

This ensures speculation will continue threatening to overshadow Liverpool's season. Currently four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, the Reds face a difficult task to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Sterling has two choices. He either accepts Liverpool's generous contract offer and fights to achieve his goals at the club, or he moves on in hopes of something better.

Many Liverpool fans are likely disappointed with the situation but will want a speedy resolution. If talks become particularly difficult, FIFA's Article 17 might provide just that resolution.