The future of Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling at Anfield looks really unsure now, as the winger has reportedly asked his side not to include him in the club's pre-season tour this summer because he is not in the right frame of mind to play for the tour.
The 20-year-old has been linked all summer with a move to Manchester City, and latest reports from the British media have now emerged that the Citizens are set to put forward an audacious bid that is close to the what the Reds have been demanding for the England international.
Liverpool have demanded £50million for Sterling in an effort to lure away the player's suitors this summer, but Man City are determined to snap up the player this summer. It is believed that a third bid is now expected for the player from Manuel Pellegrini's side.
The England international, who took up a forward role for Liverpool in the majority of last season, has however returned to Melwood for the pre-season training this week. He has also reportedly held talks with Reds manager Brendan Rodgers, and has reiterated his desire to leave Anfield this summer.
Also, Sterling asked himself to be omitted from the two-week trip to Thailand, Australia and Malaysia.
Relations between the player and the manager are believed to have turned sour after Sterling rejected a £100,000-a-week contract extension last season. The current contract of the player at Anfield runs until 2017, and the deal sees the player pocketing £35,000-a-week.
Sterling was told before he returned for pre-season that he was expected to be part of the travelling squad but now the player has dramatically upped the stakes in his bid to leave the club.
Liverpool, on their part, have shortlisted alternatives to fill the boots of Sterling, should the Jamaica-born player leave them this summer. Barcelona winger Pedro is believed to be a possible target for the Reds, despite the forward signing a four-year contract recently with the La Liga giants.
The club have also got their eyes on Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, and it has been reported that the Reds are set to meet the Belgian international's buy-out clause of £32.5million.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail has reported that Man City have backtracked from their pursuit of Juventus playmaker Paul Pogba, as the Turin giants as well as the player have demanded astronomical money.
It is now to be seen when the third bid is launched by the Manchester side for Sterling, and it is also believed that Liverpool will allow the player to leave this summer as the big money sale can fund in more purchases for Rodgers' side.
Liverpool's squad depart to Bangkok on Sunday 12 July and are not due back on Merseyside until Saturday 25 July.
