Liverpool are set to reject Manchester City's follow up bid for winger Raheem Sterling, who remains determined to leave Anfield this summer.
Saga
The bid, relieved to be around £40 million, represents the latest twist in an ongoing saga that could drag on for the whole summer.
Since Sterling admitted that he wants to leave, there have been a whole host of clubs linked with the current European Golden Boy holder. Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid all have some interest in the talented midfielder, but City are the only one's to make a bid.
Last week's offer, in the region of £30 million, was instantly rejected by Liverpool. It is the same scenario this time around, with the Reds demanding at least £50 million in order to part company with Sterling, who signed as a 14-year-old from QPR in 2010.
What next?
Despite initially stating that Sterling wouldn't be sold under any circumstances, it now seems that Liverpool will be willing to do business under their terms.
They still want City to hit that £50 million mark with their offer, but would also be open with other clubs leapfrogging the citizens. City's opening bid didn't spring other interested club's into action, and it remains to be seen whether their second will.
If Sterling does indeed join City, he won't have to wait long for an Anfield return, as the two teams were drawn to play each other on November 21st, when the fixture list was announced earlier today.
Replacements?
Although the departure of Sterling would obviously harm Liverpool, they may not need to buy a direct replacement for him. Jordon Ibe impressed in the second half of last season, and could be in line to become a first-team regular next season. Lazar Markovic is another who could get more playing time as a result of Sterling's potential departure, after it was revealed that the Serbian won't be sold this summer.