Manchester City Transfer News: Raheem Sterling Contract Details Revealed
Raheem Sterling's deal to join Manchester City from Liverpool will set the Citizens back approximately ยฃ100 million over his five-year contract.
The two clubs have agreed a deal worth ยฃ44 million and ยฃ5 million in add-ons, reported by John Cross of the Mirror. Chris McKenna of the Daily Star suggests Sterling will sign a contract worth ยฃ200,000 per week, while Cross indicates the agreement will certainly land Sterling more than ยฃ180,000 every seven days.
It was always going to take a huge financial commitment to sign the youngster. While the immediate reaction is to dismiss his costโhow can a developing talent cost this much?โCity have landed themselves one of the world's up-and-coming superstars.
Cross commented:
TalkSPORT presenter Jason Cundy thinks Sterling's move shouldn't surprise anyone:
ESPN FC and Sky Sports highlighted the pressure now on Sterling's shoulders:
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson doesn't believe Liverpool supporters will miss Sterling, per Sky Sports (via Audioboom):
City won't be looking at this transfer as money poorly spent, however. Manuel Pellegrini now has to find a way to utilise the talents of a 20-year-old who will have his every performance scrutinized.
As we witnessed with Manchester United's Angel Di Maria last seasonโthe man who set them back a British record fee of ยฃ59.7 million last summerโexcessive numbers can act as a burden if the transition is difficult.
Sterling's pace, ability to beat a man and willingness to find goalscoring positions will sharpen City's attack. He is now preparing to play alongside Sergio Aguero and David Silva, two players who will be able to feed him the ball and react to his movement.
However, Sterling will need to find a far more consistent end productโhe completed just 81 percent of his passes and 0.5 crosses per match last season, recorded by WhoScored.comโif he's to be deemed a success. Sterling's seven goals and seven assists in the 2014-15 Premier League is more than acceptable for someone of his age who doesn't carry his price tag.
Former Liverpool man Jason McAteer believes Sterling will be confined to a spell on the Etihad Stadium sidelines:
B/R UK's Andy Brassell recently discussed how successful Sterling can be in Manchester:
City are looking to move forward as an elite club. The way to do this is by landing experienced stars and developing talents. Aguero, Silva, Yaya Toure and others have all provided City immediate success. Yet with the Champions League trophy continuing to elude them, investing in those who can propel the side across many years is the right way to go.
Transfer fees are going to be inflated this summer due to the money-spinning implementation of the new Premier League television-rights deal. Sterling needs to be judged on his long-term pay-off, not on whether he fires City to silverware in his opening season. Di Maria will be afforded this treatment at United during the coming campaign.
A potential ยฃ100 million investment is nothing to City now their financial fair play restrictions have been lifted. Both City and Liverpool will feel they've landed a great deal, and as value becomes difficult to find in the transfer market, this is all that matters.
