GOAL 

Liverpool have agreed to sell Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for a fee of £49 million. 

The England international has been at the centre of a long-running transfer saga this summer, even threatening to go on strike before twice calling in sick to training in a bid to force a move away from the club, having told Brendan Rodgers of his desire to leave.

Sterling was included in the club's pre-season tour squad, despite informing his manager that he did not wish to travel, but his move to City edged closer on Sunday after he was withdrawn from the selection.

It is understood that Liverpool have now finally acquiesced to his sale, with City making an offer which is understood to be worth £44m up front and £5m in add-ons.

Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, suggested earlier this week that there had been a "breakdown in trust" between the former Queens Park Rangers winger and Rodgers, suggesting that his client no longer wants to play under the Northern Irishman.

City have twice attempted to buy Sterling this summer, but saw both of their overtures snubbed by the Reds.

Their third offer appears to have matched Liverpool's valuation of the 20-year-old, however, and Sterling will subsequently become the club's record signing, eclipsing the £38m deal that saw Sergio Aguero join the club.

The bid will come as welcome news to QPR, with Sterling's former club due a 20 per cent sell-on fee, after a clause was included in the forward's contract when he initially moved to Anfield.