Football
ESPN staff 9y

Raheem Sterling edges closer to signing new Liverpool contract

Liverpool sensation Raheem Sterling has indicated that his is close to signing a new contract with the Merseyside club.

The process of getting the 20-year-old to sign a new long-term deal with Brendan Rodgers' side has been drawn-out, sparking rumours that the England international my leave the club if terms couldn't be agreed.

It appears, however, that there has been a breakthrough in negotiations.

"We're working on it and hopefully it will be sorted soon," Sterling said in the Daily Star after the 2-0 win at Southampton on Sunday.

Reports in December suggested that Sterling had rejected an offer of 70,000 pounds a week -- which is believed to be more than double his current salary -- while it has been claimed since then that any new deal will be worth closer to 100,000 pounds a week.

Earlier this month, Rodgers urged his young attacker to take the deal that Liverpool had offered, telling a news conference: "It's an incredible deal for a young player. I've spoken to Raheem a number of times. He's very happy here, and you see that in his game."

One reason for the progression in talks may have been the improvement in form that the Reds have seen since the start of the year, lifting them to within three points of third-placed Arsenal.

"We knew we were top four material from the start of the season," said Sterling.

"Obviously, it didn't go as planned at the start but now we're showing what we can do.

"Credit to the boys, we just keep to need keep performing and keep fighting and then we'll definitely get to where we want to be."

^ Back to Top ^