It’s happens so frequently that we shouldn’t even raise an eyebrow these days.
A star player, who has given years of service to his club, is angling for another bumper contract at the back end of his career.
The club aren’t keen to offer long term deals to players in their 30s so the footballer in question threatens to leave.
Then another club is conveniently linked to a move for the player in order to apply even more pressure.
This may or may not be the case with Liverpool and Steven Gerrard. But it sure as heckers looks as if the whole situation has been manufactured to get Gerrard the length of deal and salary that he wants at Anfield.
The Guardian reports:
Newly-reappointed Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini is, according to the Mirror, “planning a January spending spree in the Premier League”….Aleksandar Kolarov is believed to be on it, as are Tottenham’s Erik Lamela, Liverpool’s Fabio Borini and Arsenal’s Joel Campbell, with rumours also circulating that he may offer Steven Gerrard a chance to end his career in Italy.
Gerrard may well fancy a move to Inter for a last hurrah. But we think he’d rather stay at Liverpool. The Inter story could simply be contrived by agents in order to get a deal over the line with Liverpool.
Certainly Gerrard is in a position of strength. Even at 34 he is a player who many clubs would be interested in. And if Liverpool didn’t push the boat out for a legend then can you imagine the reaction of the fans.
At the end of the day player power is key. If Gerrard wants to play elsewhere then he will. If he wants to stay at Liverpool then he will. Nothing else really matters.
Liverpool fans: should you pay Gerrard whatever he wants?