Manchester City have tabled what they hope is a deal-clinching £45million move for Raheem Sterling.

City believe they have made a vital breakthrough in their swoop for the talented youngster during advanced talks this weekend and trying to bring the deal to a swift conclusion.

Manchester City sources have told Sportsmail a deal for the youngster is finally nearing completion and Sterling will not travel to Asia for Liverpool's pre-season tour.

Sportsmail understands Sterling has already said goodbye to his Liverpool team-mates.

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Manchester City have made a third bid for Liverpool's wantaway attacking forward Raheem Sterling

Manuel Pellegrini's side are confident of concluding a £45m deal to sign the England international

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

City have agreed to pay £45million for the England star, who has been Manuel Pellegrini's target No 1 summer target.

The next step for the recently deposed Barclays Premier League champions will be to agree personal terms with Sterling, who will miss the club's summer tour.

It is thought Liverpool made the decision to withdraw Sterling from their pre-season tour of Asia after the wantaway forward arrived at Melwood training ground along with his team-mates.

Liverpool had been holding out for £50m, however Manchester City believe the rift between Sterling and Brendan Rodgers will enable them to land the youngster for just shy of their rival's asking price.

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

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

Manchester City have had offers of £35m and £40m rejected for the former Queens Park Rangers starlet.

Sterling came under criticism from former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard earlier this week due to his recent behaviour.

Gerrard, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: 'I'm not happy with all that carry-on. He needs to go in and see the owners. You don't have to throw in illness, or refuse to go on tour.

City believe they don't have to match Liverpool's £50m asking price due to Sterling's relationship with Rodgers

'There are millions of Liverpool fans waiting to see Raheem pull on a Liverpool shirt.

'It looks very disappointing from where I'm sat. The fans have shown him great support, they want him to stay and I believe that he should too.

'It's very difficult for me to sit here and support him and the team around him...what they're trying to do with his career at a young age.

'It'll be a terrible shame if he goes somewhere and doesn't kick on as a player.

'It's slightly disappointing how far the situation has gone - but the only way I can see for him is out at the moment.'