20-years-old, over 100 club games and 16 England caps - Raheem Sterling's short career has been full of action so far, and the young Liverpool forward has been playing since the age of 17, but is he really the big deal everyone is making him out to be.

His overall ability at the moment is good. He has fantastic pace, is a good dribbler, can set up team mates and scores goals as well, albeit if his numbers aren't quite at the saem level as other players at the top of their game, but his return of assists and goals is pretty impressive for a player of his age.

And it is his age, coupled with the fact he is English, which could be seen as the main reason behind Liverpool demanding such an extortionate fee for his services. Big clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea are interested in the England man ,which tells you he is highly rated amongst the English football elite at the very least.

He could be better suited to staying at Liverpool and improving before such a big move so early in his career, and all of this talk of contracts and big moves certainly won't have helped Sterling, and it isn't what he needs at this current time.

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But it is what it is and, focusing on his progression over the last couple of seasons, it has been good for Sterling. He has notched his first international goal, scored 16 Premier League goals over the last two seasons and has established himself as a vital member of Liverpool's first team; a fine achievement for a player who is only 20.

But for Sterling it is vitally important that he does not stay at this level and looks to improve those numbers. He needs to continue improving, score more goals, provide more assists and make more of an impact for whatever club he is playing for next season.

If he continues playing at the level he's currently at then Sterling simply won't reach his potential. His career would be in danger of stagnating and the goals and assists he was getting at 20 won't be enough for an experienced 23-25-year-old player.

If he improves in the right way over the next few seasons then he will be worth the £40m fee that Manchester City have reportedly bid for him, however if he doesn't it could prove to a huge waste of investment by City. Only time will tell, but the early signs suggest Sterling really could be the real deal.

Nevertheless, he simply is not worth the £50m that Liverpool are trying to get for him, I'd say he is worth closer to £25-£30m, but £40m seems to be the going rate for an English player of his calibre so you would have to say that it is a fair price in today's market.

If he eventually reaches his full potential he could be worth more than £50m, but that is a long way off as it stands, and if Liverpool are ready to sell Sterling after signing Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim last week, then they will have to waver on the £50m price tag.

But for Sterling now it is important that he knuckles down next season, and although it is a cliché, he needs let his football do the talking rather than his agent.

Sterling could well be the real deal in the future, but now all he is is a fantastic talent that has a long way to go before justifying the fee Liverpool appear to be holding out for him.

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