LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Manchester United are not in the race to sign Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling in the summer, Sky Sports is reporting on Thursday.
Multiple media outlets reported Wednesday night that the England attacker is set to meet with club officials, including manager Brendan Rodgers on Friday to outline his desires to leave the Reds.
Those reports also claimed that Manchester United, along with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, were all showing interest in landing the young star.
According to the Daily Star and the Daily Mail, the Old Trafford outfits have asked about the availability of Sterling as they seek to forge ahead of their rivals, but Sky sources are saying United have denied making an enquiry about his service.
Sterling, it is thought, is ready for a change and is willing to look elsewhere as he doesn’t want to stay at Anfield past the end of this season.
However, Manchester United say the 20-year-old is not one of the players on their radar and they have no plans to take him from their rival club.
Besides the English Premier League big guns, several clubs, including Real Madrid and Bayen Munich are said to be showing interest in signing Sterling.
Liverpool remain firm in their stands to keep the England World Cup star at Anfield, with manager Rodgers, outgoing captain Steven Gerrard and several former players, pleading with the speedy attacker to stay at the club.
Sky Sports is also claiming that Van Gaal is keeping a close eye on the situation involving long-time target Gareth Bale, but will not make a move for the Real Madrid forward unless they are sure he wants to move or the Spanish club are willing to sell him.
Meanwhile, there were some good news for Liverpool on the day, as Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan both sign contract extensions with the club.
“I’m over the moon. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to. I’ve spoken to the gaffer and I’m happy it’s over and done with,” Ibe said in a statement.
“Now I just want to kick on into next season, as well as the last game of this one.
“Liverpool are a great club and I like the philosophy here. I’m enjoying it – I’ve just been brought into the first team and I’ve enjoyed the games I’ve played in. Hopefully I can just keep doing well at the club.”
Liverpool will face Stoke City in the club’s final English Premier League fixture on the season.
