Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling has been warned about setting his ambitions too high, too soon by former Anfield hero John Barnes.
Sterling, 20, is currently locked in contract negotiations with the Reds after rejecting what manager Brendan Rodgers described as an "incredible" offer, reportedly £100,000 a week.
His current deal is not due to expire until 2017 but the current impasse in talks -- which will not resume until the end of the season -- has led the youngster to be linked with a number of Europe's top clubs.
Barnes believes it would be a mistake, however, for Sterling to go looking for a big-money move before he has fully proved himself at Anfield.
"I would advise any young player who has been in the game for one or one-and-a-half years to stay and learn his trade," he told talkSPORT.
"Show consistency over a four or five-year period before you make a big move, because then he will be judged as a £50 million player.
"I don't think he is ready for a move to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester City.
"As a Liverpool fan I want him to stay but I think himself he needs to be very careful.
"Unfortunately the bad advice often sounds the most lucrative and therefore the best advice.
"Has he been playing consistently well over a long time? No he hasn't and maybe his form has suffered because of the whole situation about that [contract]."
Barnes said recent history is littered with examples of poor decisions and failures by young players and he did not want Sterling to make the same mistake.
"We saw it with Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell, who both went to Man City ," he said. "Where are they now?
"I think any young player should show a level of consistency where you are happy and people accept you and then if you want to put yourself under pressure by making a big money move do that -- because it can all go wrong.
"I think [he needs] another two or three years at Liverpool and if he then decides he wants to move on then fine."