MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2014: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling looks dejected after missing a chance against Manchester City during the Premier League match at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool could accept £45 million from Man City for Raheem Sterling

With Manchester City pressing firmly ahead with their chase for Raheem Sterling, Liverpool have rejected their second bid for the wantaway forward.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2014: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling looks dejected after missing a chance against Manchester City during the Premier League match at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Manchester City‘s second bid for Raheem Sterling was confirmed on Wednesday morning as being worth £40 million, with an initial £35 million boosted by £5 million in add-ons.

As expected, reports on Wednesday night claim that Liverpool have rejected this offer.

John Percy of The Telegraph suggests that “City stepped up their pursuit of the Liverpool winger with a proposal worth £40million after add-ons but it has been turned down by the Merseysiders.”

However, Percy continues: “They are expecting a third offer later this month.

“City could return with another improved offer and there remains a sense that with the transfer window not officially open for another fortnight, the saga still has some way to go.

“Sources believe a third bid of £40 million plus an additional £5 million [in add-ons] could even be enough to persuade Liverpool into reluctantly doing business.”

With Sterling’s former employers Queens Park Rangers owed 20 percent of any fee paid for the 20-year-old, this would mean that Liverpool received £36 million if they accept a £45 million bid.

Reports elsewhere, however, suggest that City could turn their attentions away from Sterling following this rejection, with Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere in their sights, according to the Mirror.

“While City consider whether to raise their bid—which included £5 million in add-ons—for the 20-year-old a second time, they will turn their attention to Wilshere,” writes David Maddock.

Interestingly, Maddock also suggests that City have attempted to include strikers Edin Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo in a potential deal for Sterling.

However, the validity of this claim is questionable, given Negredo is set to join Valencia in a permanent deal this summer as part of the terms of his loan move last season.

Meanwhile, City look set to have landed one former Liverpool target this summer, with Fulham‘s Patrick Roberts reported to be close to a move to the Etihad Stadium.

How many young Englishmen do they need?

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