RAHEEM STERLING ADMITS it is “quite flattering” to be linked with a move to Arsenal as he insists his contract impasse with Liverpool will not be resolved before the summer.
Last month Goal reported that Liverpool have drawn up a list of possible replacements for Sterling — one of whom is Arsenal winger Theo Walcott — as concern about the youngster’s long-term future on Merseyside grows.
But even as he remains adamant that he is no “money-grabbing 20-year-old” and is focused on his football rather than his future, Sterling did not attempt to hide his pleasure at being linked with the Gunners.
He said: “Yeah definitely it’s quite flattering [to be linked], but I try to just block everything out in my head and just keep playing football and doing well in my next game.
“My next game is against Arsenal [on Saturday] and I’ll be trying to my best against them, I won’t hide anything about that.
“I’m just happy to be playing football and want to do my best for Liverpool.”
Sterling has emerged as a key figure at Liverpool and a regular starter for England over the past two years, scoring 11 goals in 50 appearances for club and country this season.
Raheem Sterling 'flattered' by Arsenal link
RAHEEM STERLING ADMITS it is “quite flattering” to be linked with a move to Arsenal as he insists his contract impasse with Liverpool will not be resolved before the summer.
In an interview with BBC Sport, the 20-year-old revealed he has turned down an offer of £100,000-a-week to extend his current contract at Anfield, which runs until the summer of 2017.
Last month Goal reported that Liverpool have drawn up a list of possible replacements for Sterling — one of whom is Arsenal winger Theo Walcott — as concern about the youngster’s long-term future on Merseyside grows.
But even as he remains adamant that he is no “money-grabbing 20-year-old” and is focused on his football rather than his future, Sterling did not attempt to hide his pleasure at being linked with the Gunners.
He said: “Yeah definitely it’s quite flattering [to be linked], but I try to just block everything out in my head and just keep playing football and doing well in my next game.
“My next game is against Arsenal [on Saturday] and I’ll be trying to my best against them, I won’t hide anything about that.
“I’m just happy to be playing football and want to do my best for Liverpool.”
Sterling has emerged as a key figure at Liverpool and a regular starter for England over the past two years, scoring 11 goals in 50 appearances for club and country this season.
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20 year old All-Ireland Senior HC Barclays Premier League interest Link Raheem Sterling Arsenal Liverpool Theo Walcott