Report: Manchester City will make 3rd bid of £50 million for Raheem Sterling

Manchester City are reportedly hoping that the third time is the charm when it comes to their pursuit of Raheem Sterling.

According to The Telegraph, City will make a third bid of £50 million for the 20-year-old virtuoso after Liverpool rejected a second bid of £40 million, meeting the Merseyside club's alleged asking price.

Furthermore, Liverpool's signing spree is apparently the result of Sterling's imminent departure from Anfield, as Brendan Rodgers' side are prepared to meet Southampton's £15-million valuation of Nathaniel Clyne and are closing in on another £15-million deal involving Robert Firmino of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Liverpool also signed 18-year-old defender Joe Gomez from Charlton Athletic on Saturday for a reported fee of £3.5 million and have allegedly turn their attention to Fernando Llorente of Juventus and Carlos Bacca of Sevilla FC after refusing to pay the £32.5-million release fee required to sign Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.

Two years remain on Sterling's £35,000-per-week deal.