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Manchester City will lodge a second bid for Raheem Sterling in the region of £40m, with the club prepared for a protracted battle for the Liverpool striker.

City made the first move for the England international on Thursday night - but saw their £30m offer rejected.

That came as no surprise to director of football Txiki Begiristain, who accepts he faces a fight for his three main targets this summer.

Sterling is joined by Paul Pogba and Kevin de Bruyne at the top of City’s wanted list. And Begiristain knows he faces fierce competition for the trio.

The move for Sterling reflects his determination to get City’s summer business underway early.

It is expected to prompt a rival bid from Arsenal, who are also pursuing the 20-year-old, who has rejected £100,000-a-week deal to stay at Anfield.

But City are on the front foot and are ready make an increased bid of £40m.

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Liverpool’s determination to drive up his price could see his value rise to closer to £50m.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has promised to sign world class players this summer following last season’s trophyless campaign.

Pogba is Manuel Pellegrini’s top target - but a move for the Frenchman will also be far from straightforward, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich among those tracking him.

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De Bruyne is the third name on their list of ideal targets, with Bayern again among their rivals for the £40m-rated Wolfsburg playmaker.