B/R Gossip Roundup: Raheem Sterling Set for Liverpool Exit

Raheem Sterling remains a Liverpool player for now. But for how long?

The Sterling saga reached a new level of intensity over the past week after reports surfaced that the player has told the club he wants to leave. The news sparked an excess of speculation, with numerous teams apparently lining up for his services.

So where will he play next season? We round up all the latest gossip from Sterling's situation, along with six more stories, in this week's B/R Gossip Roundup. Keep reading for all the details.

Raheem Sterling Hurtling Towards Liverpool Exit

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Raheem Sterling looks set to leave Liverpool this summer following a series of reports throughout the week linking the England forward with a move away from Anfield.

Sterling, 20, is one of the top young players in Europe, and throughout the season, numerous media outlets have chronicled the ongoing developments as the player has negotiated a new contract with Liverpool. The saga took a dramatic turn this past week as Sami Mokbel reported for the Daily Mail that Sterling had told manager Brendan Rodgers that he wants to leave the club.

According to Mokbel's report, Sterling was not happy with Liverpool's latest contract offer worth £90,000 per week. Sterling is upset with the club for releasing details of the negotiations.

Later in the week, Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, told Benedict Moore-Bridger of the London Evening Standard that Sterling "definitely is not signing. He's not signing for £700, £800, £900 thousand a week. He is not signing."

The Daily Mail soon added that Liverpool had cancelled a meeting, originally scheduled for Friday, with Sterling and his agent following Ward's comments.

This weekend, the Daily Star's Paul Hetherington reported that Manchester City were preparing a £45 million bid, though Sterling apparently prefers a move to Arsenal. According to the report, Sterling wants to return to London, having grown up there. 

Believability meter: High

It's unclear at this time where Sterling will play his football next season, but based on the content and tone of his agent's comments, it seems highly likely that his days at Anfield are numbered.

Such comments may have poisoned the well between player and club, and there seems to be no shortage of suitors for Sterling. At the Liverpool Echo, Andy Kelly has reported that Liverpool have rejected an enquiry from Manchester United. And the Guardian has compiled a long list of clubs that could be interested, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain rated as the most likely to sign Sterling.

Gareth Bale Likely to Leave Real Madrid but Destination Undecided Yet

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There could be any number of major transfer moves this summer as European clubs jostle for the best talent.

One name likely to be at the top of the list in the rumour mill is Gareth Bale after a relatively disappointing second season at Real Madrid.

We remain unsure whether reaching the Champions League semi-finals and finishing second behind a spectacular Barcelona team constitutes disappointment in the eyes of many, but this is the Bernabeu.

According to Mike McGrath of the Sun On Sunday, though, Bale is a wanted man, with Manchester City set to join the chase alongside neighbours United for the services of the Wales international.

A fee of £80 million has been suggested by McGrath but much will depend on changes at the Liga giants this summer.

With expectations at the Spanish club sky high, there are rumours Carlo Ancelotti could also be on the way, with the head coach admitting himself he did not know what his future held, per BBC Sport.

If Ancelotti does leave, he could also leave the door open for Bale to make a switch back to the Premier League where he was a major success with Tottenham before his 2013 world-record move.

This rumour still has some way to go before completion.

Believability meter: High

It does seem increasingly likely that Bale will be returning to the English top flight this summer, but where he will end up will remain open to debate until the end of the transfer window.

Bournemouth Move for Liverpool Striker Rickie Lambert Makes Sense

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Another name likely to be on the move this summer will be Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert.

It has been a tough year for the England international, whose dream move to his boyhood heroes at Anfield saw him spend more time on the bench than the field.

Brendan Rodgers was determined to make his marquee signing Mario Balotelli a success this season, leaving the former Southampton man to trail in his wake.

According to the Sun, though, Lambert could be heading for a familiar part of the country to resurrect his club and international career.

Newly promoted Bournemouth are weighing up a move for the 32-year-old, according to the article, as they look to bolster their squad for a first-ever Premier League campaign.

And Cherries manager Eddie Howe believes Lambert could be the man to spearhead his forward line alongside Callum Wilson.

This could be a great move for both parties.

Believability meter: High

This would be a very smart switch for all parties. Lambert knows the south coast well after playing for Southampton for so long, and his proven Premier League experience can only benefit Bournemouth.

Pedro Poised for Arsenal Move from Barcelona

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Now here's a transfer which could prove interesting.

According to Fichajes.net (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro), Arsenal are set to land Barcelona striker Pedro in a £10.8 million deal this summer.

The 27-year-old has only played a small part in Barcelona's treble charge under Luis Enrique this season, with only fleeting glimpses of first-team football available.

But with a forward line which comprises Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, the lack of opportunities are understandable.

After an inconsistent start to his time at the Camp Nou, Suarez has truly hit his stride in recent weeks meaning the trident is effectively set in stone now.

And with the Champions League and Copa del Rey in their sights after winning La Liga last weekend, the chances of Pedro making an impact ahead of those three are limited.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are in the market for a new forward and the prospect of Pedro making the move to north London will leave plenty of Gunners supporters salivating.

When called upon by Barcelona, the forward has rarely let the team down and will have a point to prove in the Premier League.

Believability meter: Medium

This switch sounds like good news for Arsenal, but these are early days ahead of the summer window and there may be some way to go yet.

But it is move which should excite everyone at the Emirates Stadium if it does come to fruition.

Rafa Benitez Tipped to Replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid

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Rafa Benitez is "in line" to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager next season, according to Spanish radio station Onda Cero (h/t Sport).

Ancelotti led Real to the UEFA Champions League title last season, along with the Copa del Rey, but the Blancos have finished the 2014-15 campaign without a trophy.

Real won 22 straight matches at one point this past season, but the team's form steadily worsened after the New Year, partially due to injuries.

Benitez has spent the last two seasons with Napoli, winning the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. He has previously coached Valencia, Liverpool and Inter Milan, among others.

Believability meter: Medium to high

It's no secret that, at Real Madrid, a coach must win trophies to stay in the hot seat. Ancelotti's side won no silverware this past season, and so there's a good chance he will be forced out.

Benitez is an experienced manager with a reputation as a cup specialist. He won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, and the UEFA Cup/Europa League with both Valencia (2004) and Chelsea (2013).

Sky Sports reported on Thursday that Benitez is a 1/3 bet to take over at Real Madrid. But B/R contributor Rik Sharma wrote the same day that the hire would be a "dangerous move" for the capital club. Sharma wrote:

"

Bringing Benitez in for Ancelotti would not be an improvement by any stretch of the imagination. At best, it would be a sideways step; at worst, it would be a disaster.

Given his propensity to fall out with important figures, who's to say what would happen if he managed to upset Cristiano Ronaldo?

Perhaps Benitez will learn from his past mistakes. But there's no evidence to show that will be the case.

"

Sharma also hinted that Real's ultimate objective is to groom Zinedine Zidane for the manager's role. The French legend is not ready yet, but it could make more sense to remain with Ancelotti until that time.

Then again, Real Madrid aren't exactly known for showing patience with managers.