The Manchester United v Liverpool rivalry is so strong that no player has moved between the two clubs since Phil Chisnall joined Liverpool from United in 1964. But United boss Louis van Gaal is determined to rewrite history as United on Wednesday launched a sensational bid to lure Raheem Sterling away from Liverpool.
United have made an enquiry to Liverpool about contract rebel Sterling who is determined to quit Anfield this summer. Liverpool told United that Sterling, who has two years left on his current Reds deal, is not for sale.
But van Gaal is undeterred and is now hoping Sterling puts pressure on Liverpool from his end to make the deal happen.
Sterling and his agent Aidy Ward are expected to discuss the United approach when they meet Brendan Rodgers and Ian Ayre on Friday, where they are expected to tell the Reds that Sterling does not want to accept the club’s offer of a new deal and that he wants a transfer.
If there is any silver lining in this for Liverpool fans, it is that United’s move could spark a biding war between themselves, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City for the England international.
Stories out of the blue side of Manchester suggested that City were preparing a £40 million bid for Sterling, but the sudden interest from United could push that final transfer amount closer to £45 million or £50 million.
If Sterling does get sold for close to £50 million, that would mean that in the last 4 1/2 years that Liverpool would have sold three players for at least £50 million each (Torres, Suarez and Sterling).
The only other club in Europe that has done that is Atletico Madrid with Aguero (€38m), Falcao (€60m) and Coata (€38m). The difference is that Atletico were able to reinvest those transfer funds and buy other world class talents. That is something that Liverpool and Fenway Sports Group have been unable to do.
