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Raheem Sterling joins Manchester City: Liverpool confirm £49m exit of England forward who joins City on five-year deal

Sterling to wear the No 7 shirt

Wednesday 15 July 2015 07:29 BST

(Getty Images)

Liverpool have officially announced that Raheem Sterling has left the club for Manchester City on an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old has long been linked with a move to the Etihad after growing unhappy under Brendan Rodgers at Anfield. He didn't travel on the club's pre-season tour to the Far East to complete the move.

The England forward underwent a medical at the Etihad this afternoon and moves on a five-year deal that has previously been reported to be £45million up front with £4m in add-ons.

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

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1/7Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Felipe Anderson

The Lazio midfielder has enjoyed his breakthrough season in Italy this year, but that has alerted a number of clubs across Europe including Liverpool. The 22-year-old Brazilian is contracted to the Serie A club until 2020 and will therefore cost a significant amount if he were to move this summer, but it’s believed he has the potential to become one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the world if he continues his steep development curve.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Theo Walcott

Arsenal’s pace merchant is finding it hard to break back into the first team after recovering from the ruptured cruciate ligament that sidelined him for over a year. With doubts over his fitness, his suitability to the current Arsenal side and whether he’s a better option compared to his team-mates, rumours have linked him with a dramatic Arsenal exit. Liverpool would be one of the teams in for the England winger, who can also play in attack, and given that his speed can terrify any defence he would be a suitable option to replace Sterling.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Marco Reus

Any move for Reus appears to be hinged on firing Brendan Rodgers and hiring Jürgen Klopp, and given the noises coming out of Anfield, it’s unlikely to happen this summer. But if another transfer window goes belly-up, don’t be surprised to see Klopp at the club soon after with Reus in tow. The Germany international is a wonderfully gifted player who combines pace and skill to dazzle defences. He has struggled with a persistent ankle injury in recent months, but he would add a proven quality to the Liverpool ranks.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Divock Origi

Rodgers already knows one signing he will see arrive at Anfield in the summer as Belgium striker Divock Origi will complete the permanent move he agreed last year, having spent the season on loan with Lille. Rodgers could look to revert to the tactics he deployed last season when he had Luis Suarez to pair up with Daniel Sturridge, and although Origi is nowhere near the level Suarez was at present, the Northern Irishman will hope he has unearthed a gem when he arrives in the Premier League.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Alexandre Lacazette

The French forward is being courted by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, but Liverpool could look to show a sign of intent by launching a bid for him before their rivals. Lacazette is equally adept at playing as a striker or out wide, and it would depend on how Rodgers would choose to deploy him to where he would feature. The France international has helped Lyon secure second in Ligue 1 and will finish the season as top goalscorers barring any heroics from Andre-Pierre Gignac, who trails by six goals.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Jeremy Menez

Menez’s brother and agent has fuelled talk of a move away from AC Milan by admitting he is likely to leave this summer, and even addressed rumours of a move to Liverpool as well as Monaco. However, at this point in time they are just rumours, and despite being able to play out wide he is more suited to an attacking role through the middle.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Ezequiel Lavezzi

The Argentine has fallen off the radar in recent months, but his future at Paris Saint-Germain remains far from certain and a move to the Premier League has always appeared on the cards. At home out wide on the wing, Lavezzi can also do a job up front, and would bring a physicality to the attack that is currently missing in Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Ibe.

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The forward, who becomes the most expensive Under-21 ever, is said to have agreed a deal worth £200,000-a-week.

"Raheem Sterling is one of the best attacking players in world football, and I am very much looking forward to him joining our squad out in Australia later this week," said City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

"He is a young player with outstanding ability, and I am sure the Manchester City fans will be very excited about seeing him in action for the team."

Sterling joined Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers in 2010 for an initial fee of £600,000. QPR included a 20 per cent sell on fee meaning they could receive around £10m from City.

Sterling made 129 appearances for the Reds, scoring 23 goals.

"Liverpool FC wishes Raheem well," said the Reds in a very brief statement on their website.

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