Jamaica-born winger to become most expensive English soccer player

Liverpool's manager, Brendan Rodgers, has confirmed that his team plans to sell Raheem Sterling, in a deal which could make him the English Premier League's third most expensive signing.

Rodgers told journalists at a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday that the exciting Jamaica-born player would leave Anfield this summer subject to passing medical tests.

Rival club Manchester City is close to making Sterling the most expensive English soccer player.

"Two clubs have agreed a deal and subject to a medical, he will move on," Rodgers said.

The Telegraph has suggested that Sterling could earn up to a whopping £200,000 per week - which is approximately J$36 million - at City, which has had two previous bids for the 20-year-old Sterling turned down.

"The situation currently is very simple. The club has agreed with another club a deal for Raheem to be transferred, and subject to a medical, that will go through," Rodgers said when asked to clarify whether there was any fallout between himself and Sterling and if his transfer was a loss to the team.

Rodgers said that contrary to reports in the media, "Raheem and I have always remained very strong in our relationship and have been right up until we left. So there's no issue there."

Quick attacker

A person familiar with the situation said Sunday that Liverpool had reached an agreement with City over the transfer of the England winger for £49 million pounds (US$76 million).

Sterling, who has a contract with Liverpool until 2017, is a skilful and quick attacker who joined Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers' academy in 2010. He is one of English soccer's top young players and an established member of the national team after making his international debut in 2012.

He has scored one goal in 16 England appearances and has hit the net 23 times in 129 appearances for Liverpool.

But despite being a workhorse on the team, Rodgers is confident that his team, even with the loss of Sterling, will be strong based on signings it has been making.

Much stronger

"I think the key for us is that it is the overall team that is important. Individuals like Raheem will have benefited from the team. We obviously aim to be much stronger and much more competitive than what we were last season, but that'll be reliant on everyone," the manager said.

Asked how confident he is that the signing of Brazilian international Roberto Firmino will fill the void left by Sterling, Rodgers said the ex- Hoffenheim man is "a top-class player".

"He's obviously played in Europe, so he understands and played in a very good league. Of course, there is no pressure. He'll come into the Premier League and Lucas knows as well as anyone as a fellow Brazilian that coming in, it just takes that little bit of time to adapt. He's got all the traits and the profile of what we would want as a player - he works very, very hard, he's a talented player and someone we feel can score goals for the team. I'm really excited and looking forward to him coming in."