The Telegraph reported earlier this week that Feyenoord would not extend Sterling's short-term contract beyond the end of the season. The article cited Van Persie as a source — a claim the Dutchman flatly rejected at his Friday press conference when ESPN reporter Sinclair Bischop raised it.
The exchange was pointed. When Bischop began his question by stating it had "become clear this week" that Feyenoord would not be continuing with Sterling, Van Persie interrupted before he could finish.
"Pardon?"
When Bischop repeated the premise, Van Persie was direct.
"Well, I've read that. I've also been quoted in it — but I have not spoken to those people from the English newspaper."
He confirmed formal talks with Sterling have not yet happened and are imminent.
"Ultimately, you'll sit down with Raheem, sit down with his people. We will also sit down together and that hasn't happened yet. That will probably happen next week or the week after. But that he's leaving — that's not correct. I can confirm that. I have not spoken to those people."
Sterling, 31, joined Feyenoord on February 12 on a contract running to the end of the season after leaving Chelsea, where he had been exiled from training for over six months. He arrived short of match fitness and has managed just 349 minutes of league football, recording zero goals and one assist. His contract expires at the end of June.
Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad reported in April that the club were no longer open to a contract extension, a stance that has since solidified internally — though Van Persie's public comments on Friday suggest he is not prepared to confirm that position until the conversation with the player has taken place.
Sterling plans to work with personal fitness coach Ben Rosenblatt this summer to prepare for preseason. Serie A clubs are expected to register interest once he becomes a free agent again. At 31, with 174 career goals across Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and now Feyenoord, the formal conversation at De Kuip next week may determine whether his top-level career continues or quietly ends.