Raheem Sterling was eager to return to Liverpool prior to completing his move to Chelsea, according to reports.
Sterling sealed his £47.5 million move to West London earlier this week, in a deal worth a reported £310,000 a week.
This ended the Englishman’s seven year stint at Manchester City, where he scored 131 goals in 339 appearances for the Sky Blues.
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New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was keen to make the 27-year-old his first marquee signing as owner, and the deal was supposedly a smooth and quick transaction.
However, journalist Jacque Talbot has revealed that Sterling pressed to secure a move back to Liverpool, but Jurgen Klopp wasn’t interested in the player.
Talbot told GiveMeSport: “We heard from reliable sources that Sterling actually wanted to go to Liverpool before making the move for Chelsea.
“I don’t think Manchester United were a consideration, but what I heard is that in essence, Liverpool rejected him.”
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Sterling broke out onto the scene at Anfield, with former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers promoting him to the first team and developing him.
The winger eventually made 129 appearances and scored 23 goals for Liverpool, before making the switch across the North West to the Etihad in 2015 for £49 million.
He has also now received 77 caps for England and has become a staple of the national team under Gareth Southgate.
Sterling has also won four Premier League titles with the Citizens, but regularly found himself not starting last season under Pep Guardiola, resulting in his push to leave the club this summer.
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He’s cited playing regularly to ensure he’s part of Southgate’s World Cup squad this winter and his desire to win the Champions League as key factors in his decision to leave.
Since departing Anfield, the Kingston-born man has faced consistent jeers and boos from the Liverpool faithful everytime he has matched up against his former club, making his desire to return there a bizarre one.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Liverpool, Chelsea, Raheem Sterling