Manchester City may have failed with an opening offer for Raheem Sterling, but The Guardian believe they are weighing up a second bid for the player.
Sterling has two years left on his current contract at Liverpool, but has refused improved terms to extend his stay and will instead seek a transfer this summer. The England international is thought to be disappointed with the Reds failure to build on their impressive 2013/14 campaign, when they came close to winning the title, having followed this up with a sixth-place finish.
City are determined to build up their quota of homegrown players ahead of the new season, but rather than look for squad players such as Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair, who failed to make an impact upon arrival, they are instead looking at the very best English football can offer. Sterling certainly fits this bill, and the Blues this week offered a package of £30million for the youngster.
This bid was rejected by the Merseyside club who, although would still like to tie the former Queens Park Rangers talent to a new deal, are reluctant to let him leave for less than £50million. It remains to be seen if the Etihad Stadium club are willing to smash their transfer record to sign the 20-year-old, but The Guardian believe Manuel Pellegrini’s side are weighing up an improved bid.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have made their third signing of summer already. Brendan Rodgers has already concluded a free transfer for City’s James Milner, and Burnley’s Danny Ings will also join for a fee yet to be determined. And a third free agent is also heading to Anfield, after a deal was wrapped up for Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan who will provide cover for Simon Mignolet.
