Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling insists he is not “a money-grabbing 20-year-old” as his contract wrangle rumbles on.
The England international has rejected what manager Brendan Rodgers described as an “incredible offer” – believed to be £100,000(Dh545,000)-a-week – as the club look to tie down one of their prize assets.
Sterling still has more than two years to run on his current £35,000-a-week deal but talks have been put on hold until the summer.
“I don’t want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old,” he told BBC Sport.
“I just want to be seen as a kid that loves to play football.”
Sterling insists material possessions are less important to him than results on the pitch and his relationships off it.
“Money is not everything in my life. I’ve got family, a daughter – these people mean everything to me,” he said.
“I think anyone around me can vouch for me that it has never been about money.
“It is about winning trophies throughout your career; I don’t talk about how many cars I will drive or how many houses I’ve got.
“It is flattering to get a huge contract (offer). I just purely want to be the best I can be.
“I want to be seen as the one who wants to do best for the team and I don’t want the fans to think bad of me, to think I just want as much money for myself.
“It has been a bit much for me this season with everyone talking about it every minute.
“I just want to get through this season helping the club do the best we can do and hopefully at the end of the season be proud of what we have achieved.”
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