Raheem Sterling contract: Liverpool forward to reject pay-rise in excess of 100 per cent

Liverpool ready to pay the youngster £70,000-a-week

Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling with Brendan Rodgers (GETTY IMAGES)

Raheem Sterling is set to reject a new Liverpool contract offering a pay rise of over 100 per cent, according to reports.

Following their exit from the Champions League on Tuesday night, it's understood the Reds want to make a statement about their long-term ambition, something that would be signified by securing Sterling to a new long-term deal.

The England international, who turned 20 on Monday, has become a key player at Anfield. He was part of a devastating trio including Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez that so nearly took Liverpool to the title. Since Suarez's departure for Barcelona and amid injury woes for Sturridge, Sterling's importance has only increased.

His current deal has over two years to run and sees him being paid around £30,000-a-week.

Liverpool are ready to more than double his wages with an offer of £70,000-a-week plus lucrative bonuses being put before him, according to reports. However according to sources quoted by The Telegraph the club and player are “nowhere near any agreement” and that the offer is “nowhere near acceptable”.

Sterling has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid over the past 12 months which puts the former QPR youth player in a strong position when it comes to negotiations. Despite reports that he is not close to agreeing a new deal, it's understood he is happy at the club.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers indicated earlier this season that that is the case when asked if Sterling wanted to stay.

"Yes. Absolutely adamant. I don’t think there is anything other than that. His agent is a good agent and he understands this is the perfect place for him," Rodgers said in October.

"The boy is remarkably happy here and there are no secondary thoughts about anything else other than continuing to play for Liverpool.

"Also, to continue with his development because he still has a lot of growth and for that the best place for him to be is here. His representatives respect that and the club respects that. So that will get sorted out in time."