Transfer roundup: I don’t want to play under Rodgers, says Raheem Sterling

Newcastle winning the race for Wijnaldum as Jovetic sets himself for Inter move

Raheem Sterling has reportedly turned down a chance to re-open contract negotiations with Liverpool, due to the breakdown of his relationship with Reds manager Brendan Rodgers.

Sterling attended a 25 minute meeting at the club’s Melwood training ground between himself and Rodgers.

The latter is said to have reinforced his desire for Sterling to stay at the club, offering the prospect of a more lucrative contract for the 20-year-old should he wish to earn more than the £100,000-per-week offer which is already on the table.

However, according to Sky Sports sources, Sterling knocked back Rodgers’ request, saying that it was not down to money, but rather the fact that he no longer wants to play under Rodgers. This claim has now been dismissed by Liverpool.

Sterling has been heavily linked with a £50million move to Manchester City, and has also requested to be left out of Liverpool’s pre-season tour.

Newcastle winning the race for Wijnaldum

Newcastle United are close to completing a deal for with PSV Eindhoven for Netherlands midfielder Giorgino Wijnaldum.

The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, would cost the Tyneside club close to £14million, a price that new Magpies boss Steve McClaren would happily pay for a player he knows well from his time spent coaching in Holland.

Newcastle are looking to complete the deal as quickly as possible, in order for the 24-year-old to join the club on their pre-season tour of America, despite Wijnaldum already making his way to Switzerland for PSV’s own tour.

Wijnaldum, who has 19 caps for the Netherlands, has attracted attention from Everton, but would be more tempted by a move to Tyneside due to the strong Dutch contingent at the club, in the form of Vernon Anita, Tim Krul, Daryl Janmaat and Siem de Jong.

Jovetic set for Inter move

Stefan Jovetic is close to making a return to Serie A with Inter Milan, after numerous sources reported that a deal had been struck with Manchester City.

The 25-year-old Montenegro striker has endured an injury-plagued spell with the blue half of Manchester, making only 11 starts last season. Former City boss Roberto Mancini, the man who initially brought Jovetic to the Etihad Stadium, is now manager of Inter, and still remains a fan of a player who was impressive earlier in his career at Fiorentina.

According to Tuttosport, Inter will take Jovetic on loan for a fee of £2.15million, before paying another £10.75million at the end of the season. The deal would mark a significant financial loss for City, who signed Jovetic only two years ago in a deal that was rumoured to cost £22million.

Fernabahce continue Premier League raid

Turkish side Fernabahce are looking to continue their import of Premier League players through the acquisition of Jon Obi Mikel from Chelsea.

Mikel, 28, has two years left on his current deal at Chelsea, therefore representing the last chance for the London club to sell the Nigerian international for a respectable transfer fee.

The potential transfer follows a flurry of activity from Fernabahce in the transfer market, particularly in England, as the 19-time Super Lig champions recently bought Nani from Manchester United for a fee of £4.8miilion and are also close to completing a deal for Dutch striker Robin van Persie, also of United.