Coral’s Rumour Reel: Man City to make third Sterling bid

Manchester City are reportedly set to return to Liverpool with a second bid for Raheem Sterling, that is closer to the Reds £50m valuation of the player.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will fend off any interest in another Man City target, Jack Wilshere who is valued at a similar price. The Gunners are mulling over offering the midfielder a £100,000/week contract, though the player wants assurances over playing time.

After refusing to meet Aston Villa’s £32m asking price for striker Christian Benteke, Liverpool are said to be targeting Juventus frontman Fernando Llorente, or Sevilla star Carlos Bacca. Meanwhile misfiring Mario Balotelli could well be on the move, with the Italian wanted by Turkish side Besiktas.

Manchester United are said to be preparing a £7.5m bid for Bayern Munich 31-year-old midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, though a £20m deal for teammate Jerome Boateng looks unlikely with his partner reluctant to move to the north of England.

Red Devils target Mario Mandzukic is unlikely to make the move, after striking a deal with Serie A champions Juve, while goalkeeper David De Gea has told teammates he wants to leave the club and join La Liga runners-up Real Madrid.

Premier League champions Chelsea are reportedly interested in Barcelona midfielder Alex Song who spent last season on loan at West Ham, though could face competition from Man City.

Jose Mourinho has also said to have made inquiries over the availability of Everton centre back John Stones, while Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele is also a target.

Spurs have emerged as favourites to sign Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld, while Everton are monitoring the situation of Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton as a possible replacement for Tim Howard.

Swansea have had an £11m bid for Watford striker Troy Deeney turned down and Newcastle are going to wait to find out if QPR’s £15m rated Charlie Austin wants to stay in London before lodging a bid.