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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes his former club want to buy Liverpool's Raheem Sterling this summer but urged the player to stop doing his negotiating through the press.

Henry, who made a popular appearance at Anfield for the All-Star Charity game in March, is convinced Arsene Wenger wants to bring the 20-year-old winger to the Emirates but is unhappy with how Sterling has handled his negotiations with Liverpool.

Speaking on the night it was revealed Liverpool have rejected an enquiry from Manchester United about Sterling's availability this summer, Henry told Sky Sports: "There is one thing I'd say about Raheem Sterling. We all know he's a Londoner. The way Arsene (Wenger) was talking yesterday indicates he wants him. But there's something I want to say about the lad.

“I think we all know that he's receiving some bad advice.

“You can't go out there and talk about your contract in the press. I think that you have to respect your fans, respect the club that you play for.

“And if you want to leave Liverpool or not, then when you have to make the announcement of leaving or staying, then do it – don't discuss your stuff in the paper.

“And I went through the same thing. When I was young I had a problem with Real Madrid and Monaco. Some guys who were around me were putting stuff in my head. I lost my football, mentally I wasn't there any more, I wasn't concentrating on anything.

“And therefore it looked like I was going to have a good career and then people were questioning me when I hadn't even started my career. Same thing with Raheem Sterling.

“You can blame the agent, the advisor, but you need to be a man about it also and say 'Enough, you're destroying my life, you're destroying my career'. He's a great product for Liverpool and he's going to be a great product for England.

“I will be more than happy to see him play for Arsenal but he is still a Liverpool player.”

Sterling still has two years left on his Anfield contract and the approach from United is understood to be the only contact Liverpool have had over the player from any other club although reports have suggested Man City are prepared to bid around £40m and Chelsea are also monitoring his situation.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre and manger Brendan Rodgers will meet with Sterling and his adviser Aidy Ward on Friday although they are believed to be bringing the message that the player will not sign a new deal at Anfield.

The club though are in a strong position to get at least another year from the player who will be keen to ensure he is playing regular football ahead of a possible England campaign in the European Championships next summer.

Sterling was voted Liverpool's Young Player of the Year this week, although a few fans booed as he took to the stage to accept his award on Tuesday night.

In profile: Aidy Ward - the man representing Raheem Sterling

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