Promising youngster Raheem Sterling has previously publicly stated that he has turned down a new contract from Liverpool and that he is eager to move away from the club.
His future at Anfield is looking unlikely and whilst Manchester City are the only team so far to have shown real interest in the England winger, by submitting two bids, but both have been knocked back by Liverpool.
The Reds received a new £35 million bid for Sterling recently, with an extra £5 million in add-ons taking it up to around £40 million in total.
The new bid was once again rejected by Liverpool, who are hoping for at least £50 million, but will City or another club come to Liverpool with an offer that high? Or should the Merseyside club take what they can?
Queens Park Rangers' sell-on fee complicates things
Liverpool may have been willing to do business with Manchester City for £40 million, if it wasn't for the 20% sell-on fee that Liverpool will have to pay Queens Park Rangers after snapping him up for just £500,000 back in 2011.
That means that if Liverpool sell him for £50 million, they will pocket £40 million, but selling him for £40 million means they only get £32 million - which represents a sizable loss.
On the contrary, if a club from abroad came in with a £40 million bid, Liverpool might have taken the money. They would likely rather see Sterling play in a different league rather than in the Premier League, where Sterling will become an asset for their rivals - but no European clubs have shown real interest in Sterling yet.
Is Raheem worth the Sterling?
Sterling didn't have a spectacular season last time out, but it wasn't a bad one, featuring 47 times for Liverpool and managing to score 11 goals.
The 20-year-old is by no means a finished product, but at the right club and with regular playing time, Sterling could well be one of the best players in the world in a few years.
If Sterling were to move to Manchester City, Sterling may not play regularly and City may not ever get the £40 million they would pay for him back in his performances, due to the fact it would stint his progression.
In the past English players such as Scott Sinclair, Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell have all been highly rated. All three were expected to be a big part in England's future, but have been left out in the cold at City and have wasted years at the club. In fact, they have almost managed to ruined their careers and Sterling could be the next victim at the club.
Liverpool making plans, with or without Sterling
Brendan Rodgers' side have made three signings so far this summer and all have them have been free and not as high profile as fans have wanted.
If Liverpool were to take the £40 million for Sterling, they would certainly have that extra money to spend on bringing in attractive and high-profile players to the club.
Furthemore, if the Reds were to accept the current bid - they would be able to do their big business early in the transfer window, rather than later - when the player in question may be in more demand, meaning Liverpool may have to battle a few other clubs for the player's signature.
Sterling saga one to last
The Sterling situation will always be the talking point at Liverpool until his future is resolved and the sooner it is, the sooner the club can move on and can start focusing on the new season.
Liverpool will want to bring in their players early in the transfer window as it gives them more time to get settled at the club and allows them to get used to their new surroundings.
Liverpool may not get a £50 million bid for Sterling, but the fact that City have bid twice for the winger very early on in the summer suggests they are keen on his services.
If other clubs start to show real interest, there could be another bid coming in from City sooner rather than later and that could be the end for Sterling's career at Liverpool.
