Pearce: It would take a ‘huge fee’ to sign Sterling

Former England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce believes it would take a ‘huge fee’ to prise Raheem Sterling away from Liverpool’s grasp this summer.

Sterling, whose current deal with the Reds is set to expire in the summer of 2017, has reportedly put contract talks on hold until the end of the season.

According to reports, the England international, 20,  has been courted by European giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid this term, and understandably so when considering the player’s form.

Speaking on the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ on Tuesday, Pearce said: “I think it would take a huge fee to buy him from Liverpool now if you knocked on their door and said ‘how much would Raheem Sterling cost?

“He’s made a big impact in the Premier League and at international level, so you’re buying not only a young English player, but you’re also buying a very good club and international player.

“The trick is to go and buy him like Liverpool did from Queens Park Rangers for a million or whatever it was a few years ago and take that chance.

“The finance for Jordan Henderson, for example, looks reasonably cheap now at £18m or whatever it was. Arsenal have done the same with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott at £12m and £13m respectively, I think. That looks reasonably cheap. The trick is to go and buy them before they actually break into one of your opponents’ teams.

“He’s your typical young man who is making his way in the game, learning the tricks of the trade. He’s come into professional football after getting his move from Queens Park Rangers with big expectations but his form has been that good.

“He’s growing up as a man and he’s getting better and better as a player. He’s got that ability to go past people that very few have and he’s a very strong individual as well.

“He’s quite slight in his physique but he can ride tackles really well and he puts you on the back foot as well when he drives at you.”

Additionally, in a recent interview, Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini suggested the Merseysiders may consider a fee in the region of £100 million if a club were to approach them for Sterling.

Moreover, recently, Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini suggested the Merseysiders may consider a fee in the region of £100 million if a club were to approach them for Sterling.

Pellegrini said: “It is important to have English players but can you sign them? You are talking about trying to sign players from clubs that won’t sell them.

“Can you get Sterling? Maybe if you go to Liverpool with £100 million you can.”

Sterling, formerly of Queens Park Rangers, has tallied six goals and seven assists in 27 English Premier League appearances for Liverpool in 2014/15.