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Raheem Sterling interview: No amount of money can convince Sterling to stay at Liverpool

The England international has conducted an interview to set the record straight

Simon Rice
Wednesday 01 April 2015 16:20 BST
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Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling (GETTY IMAGES)

Raheem Sterling has indicated no amount of money Liverpool offer him can convince him to remain at the club as he ponders the next step in his career.

The England international recently turned down a £100,000-a-week offer and would seemingly be ready to turn down another, even if it meant he was paid more than the club's top earner Daniel Sturridge, who is paid close to £150,000-a-week.

In an interview with the BBC, Sterling has sought to make his position clear, insisting "it's not about the money at all.

"It's never been about money. I talk about winning trophies throughout my career. That's all I talk about."

He added during the interview, in which he addressed his statement to Liverpool fans: "I don't talk about how many cars I'm going to drive, how many houses I've got. I just purely want to be the best I can be.

"I don't want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old."

The offer of £100,000 is likely to be Liverpool’s final offer and whilst in an ideal world, the Anfield club want to keep him, if no compromise can be reached then they would rather sell him this summer for a serious fee than lose him in 2016, when he has only one year remaining on his current deal.

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Sterling is understood to be keen on playing regularly in the Champions League, something Liverpool look set to be unable to provide next season and cannot guarantee in the same way that the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City can beyond that. Those three clubs are all understood to be watching events at Anfield closely.

There is also interest from abroad in the former QPR player, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid linked.

Aside from wanting to play at the highest level and winning trophies, Sterling says he personally wants to be "the best I can be", whilst another issue is where where he plays on the pitch.

Brendan Rodgers has used Sterling in various positions this season, from his favoured role up front, all the way to wing-back. Sterling alluded to the issue in the interview. "It's been a bit much for me this season," he said. "I want to get through this season helping this football club".

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