Liverpool co-owners John W. Henry and Tom Werner won’t sell want-away winger Raheem Sterling this summer “unless there is a massive offer that is too good to turn down.”

That’s the line according to David Maddock of the Mirror, who suggests the Reds are yet to receive a bid from any potential suitor. However, alleged comments from Aidy Ward, the player’s agent, have seen Sterling’s scheduled Friday meeting with club officials cancelled.

The 20-year-old was expected to tell Liverpool he wants to leave on Friday, per Ben Smith of BBC Sport, but stunning comments attributed to Ward have ended hopes of a sit-down chat. Benedict Moore-Bridger of the London Evening Standard cited Ward when reporting these comments:

“I don’t care about the PR of the club and the club situation. I don’t care. He is definitely not signing. He’s not signing for £700, £800, £900 thousand a week. He is not signing.” Ward also called Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher a “k–b” after the Sky Sports pundit suggested the player is being badly advised, according to Moore-Bridger.

However, Ward “denies quotes attributed to him in the Evening Standard and is now taking legal advice about it,” as reported by Sky Sports.

Perhaps most damaging of all, Ward reportedly told Moore-Bridger that Sterling is most likely to sign for a Premier League rival. Maddock suggests Liverpool haven’t taken kindly to this assertion.

He wrote: “There is a feeling among Liverpool’s top brass that the agent seems to be unaware of his client’s obligations as a contracted player, after apparently indicating to a newspaper Sterling wouldn’t play for the club, and would join Manchester City or Chelsea.”

Maddock suggests Ward’s comments on signing for another team could see him receive “the attention of the Football Association.”

Whatever happens, it seems Sterling won’t be a Liverpool player next season. The speedy winger can be ranked among the sport’s top prospects—someone who has the natural attributes to develop into a world-class forward—but it’s likely Anfield will never see the best of him.

B/R UK’s Sam Tighe looked at his most likely landing spots:

Boss Brendan Rodgers is likely already making plans to source a replacement. A report from David Anderson of the Mirror indicates he is “willing to listen to offers for Lucas Leiva,” who continues to interest Italian side Inter Milan.

Rodgers could receive the “green light” to sign City midfielder James Milner on a free if Lucas is moved on. Milner’s versatile enough to play in the centre of midfield, and can even fill in Sterling’s wing role if needed. The City squad player is extremely valuable in that his terrific work rate and physical abilities make him well-rounded enough to operate wherever needed.

Barry Glendenning of the Guardian previously reported Paris Saint-Germain’s Javier Pastore could be an option for Liverpool. However, Bleacher Report’s French footbal expert Jonathan Johnson confirmed the creative star will commit to the Ligue 1 champions:

Pastore would an excellent addition to the squad, but after enjoying a fine season with PSG, he can be considered too pivotal to Laurent Blanc’s future plans at the Parc des Princes.

It looks to be another summer of change for Liverpool, who have failed to replicate the highs of last season’s second-place finish this campaign. The frustration of Sterling’s likely departure may take years to fully show itself—particularly if he develops into a world star—but Rodgers needs to stack the squad with top-class quality as quickly as possible.

If he doesn’t, it is destined to be another year without a trophy.

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