Talks stall over new contract for Liverpool wonderkid Raheem Sterling

Liverpool star Raheem Sterling has stalled contract talks with Liverpool once more, with Real Madrid reportedly monitoring the situation surrounding the young forward.

Sterling has been in talks with Brendan Rodgers for some time now about a new deal and the Sunday People are reporting that he wants to negotiate his commercial value to the club before signing on the dotted line.

At 20 years of age, Sterling has proven to be a player full of potential after making the move from Liverpool's youth set-up into the senior side in 2012.

Rodgers has continually said he is confident that the England international will stay at the club, but until he has signed a deal the manager can't be sure he won't be tempted by another offer.

The Daily Mirror also claims that the youngster wants an improvement on the current £70,000 per week wage offer, insisting that £100,000 would be closer to what he deserves.

Real Madrid are believed to be keeping an eye on developments and may make their interest more concrete if talks are still continuing in the summer but the paper reports that Sterling is currently prioritising coming to an agreement with Liverpool and staying at the club which gave him his chance with the first team.

Word has been circulating that Liverpool will look to Sterling as the next Steven Gerrard, giving him high importance for their commercial outlook.

But the youngster said he doesn't want to be compared to the Reds legend just yet, telling reporters this week: "I try not to think about that too much. Everyone in the team contributes and I'm no different. We are a team.

"I'm not trying to pick up a 'main-man status' this season. As long as the team wins and we get good performances, that's all that matters to me."

Liverpool suffered from a disappointing start to the season but the side have picked up their game in the new year and are currently just five points off a Champions League spot. If Sterling can agree a new deal with the club it will certainly be a weight off Rodgers' shoulders as he looks to take the side back into the top-tier European competition.