Manchester City set to make improved third bid for Liverpool wantaway Raheem Sterling as Steven Gerrard slams former team-mate

By Sami Mokbel for MailOnline

Published: 16:34 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 03:19 EST, 10 July 2015

Manchester City have not been put off by Raheem Sterling's turbulent summer and will make a third offer for the unsettled Liverpool forward.

The news comes as former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard slammed his former team-mate for his handling of the transfer saga.

City believe the rift between Sterling and Brendan Rodgers will enable them to land the youngster for much less than the £50million asking price. 

Manchester City are set to make a third offer to Liverpool for wantaway forward Raheem Sterling (right)

Manchester City are set to make a third offer to Liverpool for wantaway forward Raheem Sterling (right)

Sterling trained with Liverpool on Monday but has called in sick twice since
City have already had two offers of £35m and £40m rejected for Sterling - who wants to leave Liverpool

City have already had two offers of £35m and £40m rejected for Sterling - who wants to leave Liverpool

Steven Gerrard has hit out at Sterling, saying there isn't 'any need for' his behaviour towards the club

Steven Gerrard has hit out at Sterling, saying there isn't 'any need for' his behaviour towards the club

Gerrard has urged both Sterling and the club to talk, but criticised Sterling's antics this week

Gerrard has urged both Sterling and the club to talk, but criticised Sterling's antics this week

They are determined to land Sterling this summer and will make an improved bid on their previous £40m offer.

Sterling, who has made no secret of his desire to leave, has called in sick for two successive days and Gerrard told Sky Sports: 'I’m not happy with all that carry-on and I don’t think there’s any need for it. They all need to be men about the situation.

'Raheem needs to go in and speak to the owners and to Brendan himself, tell them what he wants and go about it that way. You don’t have to throw illnesses in and refuse to go on tour. 

'There are millions and millions of Liverpool fans around the world who are itching to see Raheem Sterling in a Liverpool kit. So I don’t think it’s fair on them if he is behaving like that.'

Manuel Pellegrini is in no rush to table what City believe will be a decisive final offer, feeling the toxic relationship between Sterling and Liverpool will lessen the Anfield club's £50million stance.

City have already had two offers of £35m and £40m rejected - but are increasingly confident they'll not have to meet the £50million asking price to sign Sterling. 

Gerrard slammed his former team-mate and says he is not being fair to the club's fans

Gerrard slammed his former team-mate and says he is not being fair to the club's fans

Gerrard, now training with new club LA Galaxy, called on Sterling to start 'being a man' and talk to the club

Gerrard, now training with new club LA Galaxy, called on Sterling to start 'being a man' and talk to the club

City boss Manuel Pellegrini is looking to bolster his attacking options ahead of the new season

City boss Manuel Pellegrini is looking to bolster his attacking options ahead of the new season

HOW IT ALL TURNED SOUR FOR RAHEEM STERLING AT LIVERPOOL

February 2010

Liverpool beat off competition from Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal to sign 15-year-old Sterling from Queens Park Rangers for an initial fee of around £500,000.

February 2011

Sterling scored five goals in Liverpool's 9-0 win over Southend in an FA Youth Cup.

March 2012

At the age of 17 years and 107 days, Sterling made his senior debut by coming on as a substitute in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by Wigan. Then manager Kenny Dalglish brough the teenager on for Dirk Kuyt with six minutes to go.

October 2012

Sterling scored his first competitive goal for Liverpool at senior level against Reading at Anfield. His 29th-minute strike earned Brendan Rodgers' side a 1-0 victory.

April 2014

After nearly a full season of playing time for the first team, Sterling became a key part of Liverpool's title charge and scored three big goals in this month. First, he left Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart for dead in a 3-2 win over Manchester City at Anfield and was then the difference a week later in a 3-2 win over Norwich.

June 2014

Sterling was one of few positives to emerge for England from a disappointing World Cup campaign. The Liverpool forward played in all three group games in Brazil.

August 2014

Sterling picked up where he left off from the previous season by scoring two goals in three games - one in a 2-1 win over Southampon at Anfield and the other at White Hart Lane in a 3-0 victory.

October 2014

After a busy start to the season with Liverpool, Sterling claimed he was 'too tired' to play for England. He played 45 minutes against San Marino before being substituted and came off the bench for the final half hour against Estonia a few days later.

January 2015

Sterling was given a mid-season break by Liverpool manager Rodgers to prevent him from burnout after a lot of playing time in the first half of the campaign and a World Cup the summer before. Sterling went on holiday to Jamaica and missed two matches during his time away.

April 2015

In an interview with the BBC, Sterling revealed he rejected a new Liverpool contract. The teenager also added that he wanted to win things and his decision was not about money.

In response, Rodgers said in a press conference that Sterling would not be going anywhere.

May 2015

Sterling tells Rodgers he wants to leave Liverpool despite there being one more game left in the season.

Sterling is booed by the away fans during Liverpool's 6-1 defeat at Stoke on the final day of the season.  

Sterling's agent claims Sterling will not sign a new contract with the club, who respond by canceling a scheduled meeting with star and his representative. 

June 2015

Sterling is booed by home fans during England's friendly with the Republic of Ireland. 

Liverpool reject two bids - the second worth £40m - for Sterling from Man City.  

July 2015

Sterling returns to pre-season training but tells Rodgers he doesn't want to go on the club's tour.

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