Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling is expected in Manchester today ahead of a £49m move to the Eithad

Raheem Sterling is expected to have his Manchester City medical on Tuesday after a £49m fee was agreed with Liverpool for the England forward, according to Sky sources.

City appear to have finally got their man after weeks of speculation, subject to contract negotiations and a medical.

Sterling was left out of Liverpool's squad which flew out on Sunday for their pre-season tour of Thailand as talks over the big-money switch progressed.

If the move goes through, the transfer will be Britain's second most expensive signing behind Gareth Bale's £86m deal from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013. Andy Carroll is currently the most expensive English footballer following his move to Liverpool from Newcastle for £35m in 2011.

Sterling twice failed to report for pre-season training last week, blaming illness, and had reportedly asked manager Brendan Rodgers if he could be left out of the tour.

However, the 20-year-old, who has been at loggerheads with Liverpool since turning down a new contract offer earlier this year, now appears set to complete his move to the Etihad Stadium.

Steven Gerrard, now at LA Galaxy, has been critical of Sterling

City had reportedly already failed with two bids for the forward, with the second believed to be around £40m, with Liverpool understood to be holding out for nearer £50m.

Sterling's relationship with Liverpool's hierarchy has been on a downslope since February, when Rodgers stated his forward had been offered "an incredible deal".

Two months later Sterling angered the club by confirming, in an unsanctioned interview, that he had turned the contract down.

The relationship between Sterling and Rodgers has been tested in recent months

The relationship between Sterling and Rodgers has been tested in recent months

The impasse deepened when Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, claimed the player would not sign even for "£900,000 a week".

He became embroiled in fresh controversy after photographs emerged of him appearing to puff on a shisha pipe, and then allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide.

His actions have prompted criticism from a host of former Liverpool stars with Steven Gerrard the latest to speak out, the former Anfield skipper revealing he was "not happy with all that carry-on".

Sterling joined Liverpool from QPR's academy in 2010 and has since made 129 appearances, scoring 23 goals.

He made his senior England debut in 2012 and has scored one goal in 16 appearances.