Chelsea were reported on Tuesday to have lodged a staggering £32-million (R384-million) bid for Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.
Liverpool directors were believed to be trying to convince Gerrard to stay, despite Gerrard’s agent Struan Marshall insisting that contract talks had broken off.
”Talks have stalled and are unlikely to be reopened,” Marshall, whose client has two years of his contract still to run, told BBC Sport.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry claimed ”money is not an issue”, but that view looks set to be tested to the limit.
Newspapers were rife with speculation that the Blues have already offered a British record transfer fee for the Anfield skipper.
The proposed deal would eclipse the £29,1-million Manchester United paid Leeds to secure the services of Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United three years ago.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hoped the bid would beat anything Real Madrid could offer.
He knows Liverpool would rather sell Gerrard to Madrid than to a Premiership rival.
But Real Madrid director of coaching Arrigo Sacchi told The Sun: ”Of course we are interested in him, what big club isn’t? But until the player makes a move, we are not going to be involved in a fight for his services.”
Liverpool were reported to have offered Gerrard £100 000 a week — a £20 000-a-week raise.
But if he moves to Chelsea, he will get less, as Mourinho has said he will not give anyone more than Frank Lampard — who is the club’s highest earner at £90 000 a week. — Sapa-AFP