By

Carl Markham, Press Association Sport


Published:
13:16 GMT, 23 June 2015

|
Updated:
13:36 GMT, 23 June 2015

Manchester City’s football development executive Patrick Vieira rates Raheem Sterling highly and believes the club’s interest in the Liverpool forward is understandable.

City have already had two offers – the latest worth £40million – rejected but reports suggest they are preparing a third for the England international.

Liverpool value the 20-year-old, who still has two years remaining on his current deal but has refused to sign a new £100,000-a-week contract, at £50million-plus.

Manchester City's football development executive Patrick Vieira rates Liverpool's Raheem Sterling highly

Manchester City’s football development executive Patrick Vieira rates Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling highly

Vieira spent one season as a player at city before accepting a training and youth development role at the club
Sterling has impressed Vieira with his performances at Liverpool

Vieira (left) spent one season as a player at City and believes the club’s interest in Sterling is understandable

And while some have criticised that valuation Vieira is a fan of the youngster.

‘I think if you go down and ask 10 people what they think about him, I think nine would give you a positive answer,’ Vieira told ESPN FC at an event in New York for Western Union’s PASS initiative.

‘I would be part of the nine people because he’s shown how good he is, how well he’s been doing at Liverpool.

‘If he is in the market, not just City would be interested in him.

Liverpool value Sterling, who still has two years remaining on his current deal, at £50million-plus

Liverpool value Sterling, who still has two years remaining on his current deal, at £50million-plus

‘But that’s the first team and I’m not part of the first team, I work with the academy so I’m just giving you my opinion.’

Vieira also believes the loss of their Premier League title honour to Chelsea last season should be viewed in context.

‘The target of the football club is to always try to win the Premier League title. You only have one team who can win it,’ he added.

The England winger has refused to sign a new £100,000-a-week contract and is expected to leave Liverpool

The England winger has refused to sign a new £100,000-a-week contract and is expected to leave Liverpool

‘Chelsea won it last year, so that means United, City, Arsenal and Liverpool were not going to be happy, but I think what is important is to analyse the situation and analyse what the club has achieved in the past four years.

‘If you analyse the last four years, it’s been more successful than anything else.

‘Don’t forget that four or five years ago, the club wasn’t at that level.

‘I think the journey of the club so far has been fantastic and you just have to look at the players we have in our squad.’ 


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