The England forward may have to alter his demands, reports Back of the Net's John Foster...
Negotiations to take Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool have hit a snag after the young Chelsea forward was told that the move cannot proceed unless his wage demands correspond to real numbers.
Sturridge is said to be keen on a move north to restart his stalling career, after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. Both Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benitez have tended to overlook the England international, preferring to pick Eden Hazard, Victor Moses, Oscar, and a glove puppet of Fernando Torres.
However, SturridgeâÂÂs Anfield dream hinges on whether the club will bow to his demands to stump up âÂÂa squillion pounds a weekâ in wages.
âÂÂI see a squillion as a starting point,â Sturridge told journalists earlier this week. âÂÂWe may end up looking at a katrillion, or even a gajillion. But IâÂÂm not going any lower than a zillion.âÂÂ
Not even a ride-pillion could tempt Sturridge...
Liverpool meanwhile insist that these figures are âÂÂliterally impossible,â and that it had been a principle of the club to deal only with actually existing numbers ever since the departure of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
âÂÂThis could open the door to financial chaos,â warned Liverpool owner John W Henry. âÂÂIf we agree to pay Daniel Sturridge a squillion, weâÂÂre going to be in a difficult position when Luis Suarez knocks on my door and asks to be paid in Flanian Pobble Beads.âÂÂ
Other details still to be ironed out include SturridgeâÂÂs demands for an appearance bonus, a non-appearance bonus, a stand to be named after him, and a robot butler made of gold, âÂÂlike the one John Terry has.âÂÂ
Should the move break down irreparably, Werner has promised that the club will pursue alternative targets, pledging that the January transfer window will see the purchase of âÂÂumpteen new playersâÂÂ.
Editor's note: this is satire and not a serious accusation - all quotes are fictionalised. But you knew that, because you're not stupid.
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