Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling has broken his silence regarding his future.
The England striker is the subject of transfer speculation, with Manchester City and Arsenal reportedly montoring the situation.
He has expressed a difference of opinion with Liverpool over his wages. He is believed to be wanting parity with the Reds’ highest-earners, around £150,000 per week.
But the club have not gone above £100,000, still a £70,000 increase on his current deal.
But Sterling has dismissed claims that he has become a footballing mercenary.
He said: “I don’t want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old.
“I just want to be seen as the kid that loves to play football.”
Sterling has had to step up for Liverpool this season, with Daniel Sturridge injured and Luis Suarez gone.
And with talisman Steven Gerrard leaving for America in the summer, manager Brendan Rodgers is facing up to the prospect of losing more star names.
He is said to have described the contract offer to Sterling as “wonderful”.
Real Madrid are also keen on his signature. City boss Manuel Pellegrini has claimed it would cost around £100m to sign him.
Steve Osborne @Pack3rNa7ion
