Manchester City remain confident of securing a deal for wantaway Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling, sources have told ESPN FC.
The saga surrounding Sterling's future took a new turn this week with Sterling missing training for the last two days, citing illness after informing Liverpool this week he does not feel in the right frame of mind to travel on the the club's preseason tour of Asia and Australia.
Upon returning to preseason at the start of the week, Sterling reiterated his desire to leave Liverpool this summer after turning down the offer of a new £100,000-a-week deal in April.
Sterling also reportedly indicated in the talks with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers that he no longer wants to play under the former Swansea manager as he was unhappy at being asked to play out of position on a number of occasions by Rodgers last season.
City chiefs are continuing to monitor Sterling's situation at Anfield closely and feel the breakdown in relations between the England international and Rodgers will only boost their chances of finally landing the 20-year-old, sources said.
City have seen two bids rejected by Liverpool this summer for Sterling with the Anfield club holding out for a fee of £50 million for the attacker.
Sources have told ESPN FC that a third bid is in the pipeline from City and the feeling inside the City camp is that the latest events at Anfield will force Liverpool to do business on Sterling so as to avoid any unwanted distractions that could affect their preparations for the new season.