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Manchester City last night launched a £30million bid for Raheem Sterling.

City are understood to have made verbal offer to Liverpool yesterday - and have promised to follow that up with a formal offer for the England star.

They are set to offer £25m plus £5m in add-ons to begin the transfer scramble for the sought-after 20-year-old.

City are favourites to sign Sterling but could face competition from Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid.

In pictures: Raheem Sterling career

But Ethihad chiefs will be the first to table an official bid - and it will be a major test of Liverpool’s resolve as they battle to keep their prize asset.

Sterling has already made it clear he will not sign a new £90,000-a-week contract offer and that leaves Liverpool with a major dilemma.

They must decide whether to sell but City’s bid is now certain to increase the pressure at Anfield.

Liverpool are likely to ask for more than £30m but Sterling has made it clear he wants to leave Merseyside and that has cleared the path for City.

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