Finally Sterling saga approaches conclusion

England starlet is expected in Manchester for a medical ahead of his big money move to Manchester City

Not since the Twilight films has there been a saga like the one involving Raheem Sterling leaving Liverpool for Manchester City. However, there seemed to be fewer bloodsuckers in the teen vampire films.

Just like any saga though it has to eventually come to an end and according to Sky Sports the end is nigh, as a £49million fee has been agreed between the two clubs. Sterling is expected in Manchester to complete a medical later today.

The Reds squad flew out on tour on Sunday, but the youngster was excluded, as the speculation mounted that he was close to a switch to the Etihad Stadium. Now a fee is believed to have been agreed he should now complete the move in the near future.

Inevitable

This move has almost been inevitable since the youngster made it clear that he was not interested in signing a new deal. City became instant favourites to sign Sterling, as most other clubs were scared off by Liverpool’s reported £50million valuation of the youngster.

City always had Sterling at the top of their summer wishlist and had already seen two bids rejected by the Reds for the England international. It seems they will now finally clinch Sterling’s signature.

Fantastic

Anybody looking at his deal must be thinking that Liverpool have done fantastic business with the sale of Sterling for such a big fee, although former-club QPR are likely to receive a substantial amount of the fee.

The fee is eye-watering for a youngster who has only really had two seasons as a professional and has hardly displayed a great attitude in recent months.

His lack of professionalism and poor attitude has meant that Sterling is now seen as a troublemaker, when in reality he may not be. However image is everything and he dragged his reputation through the mud with his recent petulant behaviour.

The majority of Reds fans seem to now be relieved and happy that their club have rid themselves of Sterling, the player not the currency. It seems like it is City who are throwing around the currency!

The fact that the Reds will receive a fee of £49million for Sterling and have taken England international midfielder James Milner from City on a free transfer makes it look like the Merseysider’s business has far more impressive.

Liverpool will now be hoping that boss Brendan Rodgers spends the money wisely, if he receives it off course, as the Reds hierarchy may use some of the money to offset the clubs summer spending so far.

Criticised

The Manchester City owners have spent a lot of money in their pursuit of making the Citizens a genuine part of English footballs elite. City’s spending has been heavily criticised by opposition fans, but this deal seems to be even attracting criticism from City’s own fans.

I do not think I have ever read so many fans of a club criticising their club for spending money and it is actually quite surprising.

Potential

There is no doubt that Raheem Sterling has bags of potential and could achieve big things in the game. However at the moment Sterling is just a good player with potential, he is not the finished article.

He has shown flashes of his potential ability in the last season and a half with the Reds. Last season he scored eight goals and produced eight assists for the Reds. His form dipped towards the end of the campaign, as he scored produced just one and one assist in his last ten appearances in all competitions.

Gamble

This has to be seen as a big money gamble by City, which may, or may not pay-off in the future. He could go on to become a world-class player or he could become a player who wasted his potential. Like any youngster there is no guarantee of promise being fulfilled.

Needed

Taking away Sterling’s poor attitude and the transfer fee, which is difficult to do, Sterling could be the sort of player the Citizens need this summer.

City are obviously desperate for more homegrown players, but the Citizens also have an aging squad which has not really been improved over the past few campaigns.

Sterling may not be the finished article, but he will provide youth, vitality and pace to a City team that lacked pace and energy at times last season. Only Argentinian superstar Sergio Aguero provides City with any sort of pace in attack.

Title

Despite all the criticism over the big fee, I do think that Sterling may turn out to be a good signing for City. The Citizens are currently second favourites to win the Premier League title at odds of 11/4 and the signing of Sterling may just help to add something to their attack.

However, whether Raheem Sterling can ever truly justify that fee remains to be seen. Big things were expected of him at Liverpool and the big fee will only increase the pressure on the youngster to fulfil his promise at City.

Can Raheem Sterling justify his big price tag?