Sturr crazy? Chelsea reserve wants £80k a week AND position pledge from Liverpool
3 Dec 2012 22:31
Reds have made an approach about a January deal but striker wants mega money and a guarantee he'll play only through the middle not out wide
Wide of the mark? Sturridge's verdict of his value far exceeds Liverpool's
Michael Steele
Daniel Sturridge is demanding a staggering £80,000 a week to move to Liverpool in January.
The Reds have already asked Chelsea about their reserve striker’s availability, and look set to follow up their interest, which dates back to the summer, in the winter transfer window.
There is a feeling at Anfield, however, that Sturridge has done little in the last 12 months to justify such big wages since his fine start to last season.
Back then, he scored 10 goals playing wide in an attacking three under Andre Villas-Boas.
But since last December, he has scored just five times for the European Champions.
The 23-year-old’s camp also insist he MUST play through the middle if he were to move to Liverpool next month.
Liverpool are keen not to repeat the financial mistakes of past windows after big signings Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing struggled to make any sort of impact.
Liverpool negotiating with Chelsea over Daniel Sturridge transfer, although £80,000-a-week 'demands' are dismissed
Chelsea striker frustrated by lack of starts
TUESDAY 04 DECEMBER 2012
in
Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge wants to make a January exit from Stamford Bridge - with Liverpool his first-choice destination.
A number of clubs are understood to be interested in the striker but Liverpool and Chelsea have begun talks over a £15m deal and Sturridge has set his sights on a move to Anfield reports the Evening Standard.
The 23-year-old, who joined from Manchester City for £6.5m in 2009, has become increasingly frustrated over his lack of starts up front and hopes a deal with the Reds will be agreed.
There have been reports that Sturridge has demanded £80,000-a-week to join the Reds, as well as guarantees over a starting role, however the striker's representatives have denied this.
"Daniel Sturridge does not conduct his business in public," they said.
"He also does not make demands in any negotiation, with regards to salary or his playing position.
"Any contract between a club and a player has to be based on mutual agreement."
Although Liverpool failed with a loan offer in the summer, manager Brendan Rodgers has been told funds will be available to sign Sturridge permanently in the new year.
The former City trainee has scored 24 goals in 95 appearances for the Blues — five more than rival Fernando Torres from 90 games — but has been mostly played out wide on the right flank.
His form has been good enough to earn four England caps and he also played up front for the Great Britain Olympic team in the summer.
Sturridge has started just two games for Chelsea this season due to a persistent hamstring injury but has conceded he will never be given a chance to be first-choice striker. Torres has been consistently picked ahead of him since joining for a British record £50m from Liverpool last year, even though he has failed to impress.
Chelsea are growing impatient over Torres but are expected to try to sign another big-name forward such as Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao or Napoli’s Edinson Cavani rather than give Sturridge a run in the side.