Tony Barrett says City have increased their bid for Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling to a total of £40 million after having an initial bid of £30 million rejected by the Merseyside club, as they look to start a bidding war for their attacker who looks set to leave Anfield this summer.
The Reds are expected to try and hold out for £50 million, but with the 20-year-old’s contract expiring in two years City are trying to lure him away for less than the asking price. Testing the waters, they had a first bid of £25 million plus another £5 million in bonuses rejected by Liverpool, before rumours emerged they would make a bid totalling £10 million higher.
One factor in where he goes is the fact that Queens Park Rangers get 20% of any transfer fee earned by Liverpool for the young attacker, which makes it a good move to hold out for as much as possible.
Arsenal, Chelsea and possibly Manchester United are also interested in keeping the England international in the Premier League, while there is also thought to be interest from Spain and Germany.
It’s yet to be seen whether the bid will be accepted, but if Liverpool are concerned that other clubs won’t enter the running for him with a high-level bid, then it’s imaginable that they would accept a lesser deal for the Jamaican-born starlet.
