Liverpool Close To Signing Chelsea Target, £40m Almost Done, Mourinho Will Be Mad
Finally, after weeks of speculations involving claims and counter claims, some bouts of mud slinging and burning of bridges , Raheem Sterling is finally a Manchester City player. Having agitated all summer for a move to the Etihad, he finally has what he so feverishly desired. City finally have one of their primary targets. Liverpool won’t be too downhearted though , as they have got around £49 million for a player who no longer wanted to put on the famous Red Shirt.
The mood is far from sombre in the Reds camp. In fact, for us supporters , it is a bit of a relief that things were sorted out this early, which leaves the club with ample time to target any replacements. The social media was sent into meltdown as news of the transfer broke out yesterday.
The Reds jetted off to Asia yesterday for the start of their pre-season tour without the 20-year-old, after a deal with Manchester City was agreed for his sale. The news was later confirmed by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers , who stated:
“The key for us is the overall team. The interest is in the players that are here.
Individuals like Raheem would have benefited from the team.”
Highlighting the importance of the collective over the individual, the Northern Irishman was quoted as :
“We obviously need the team to be stronger and more competitive than we were last season but that will be reliant on everyone.”
He was appearing in front of the media for the first time since the Sterling deal was agreed, speaking in Bangkok after Liverpool touched down for the first leg of their tour.
When asked whether his relationship with the departed youngster had turned sour following the sale, Rodgers responded as:
“The situation is currently very simple. The club has agreed a deal for Raheem to be transferred and subject to a medical that will go through.Contrary to the last week or so in terms of what was written, Raheem and I have stayed very strong in our relationship and have been right up until he left. So there is no issue there.
He further added:
“I spoke to Raheem at length before I left yesterday. There is no issue, there is no problem and I said the two clubs have agreed a deal and subject to a medical he will move on.”
That’s all fair and square. In truth, the Reds have got themselves a very good deal , provided they spend the cash wisely. They already have Jordon Ibe as a more than capable replacement for Sterling , and will do well to spend the funds on a world class striker.
This is the same thing seemingly going through Rodgers’ mind, with reports in several UK outlets linking the club with a £40 million swoop for 27-year-old Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine Striker is highly regarded as one of the best in the world and will definitely make a fantastic addition to the Reds’ forward line, that was desperately lacking in goals last term.
Although several reports also highlight the interest of Manchester United , Arsenal and Chelsea , the 27-year-old is believed to favor a switch to Anfield. Higuain has been a star at the Azurri since moving from Real Madrid in 2013 and netted 29 goals and registered 10 assists in 53 appearances for the Italian club last season.
Still just 27, the player who has 50 caps for Argentina is very much in his prime and can prove to be the long-term answer to Liverpool’s scoring woes of last season. Liverpool fans will be frantically waiting for any news on these developments as this signing has the potential to propel them once more into the European elite. Liverpool’s ambitions clearly are a fit for Higuain’s pedigree , and this can surely prove to be a match made in heaven for both the player as well as the club.