Raheem Sterling Set for Huge Manchester City Bid After Jeers at Liverpool Awards

Manchester City are reportedly preparing a huge bid for Liverpool's Raheem Sterling after the forward felt the ire of Reds fans at the club's awards ceremony.

Sterling has two years left on his current contract at Anfield and has long been reportedly stalling on a renewal, with the latest suggestions hinting he may now ask to leave the club, per the Guardian's Andy Hunter.

Upon picking up his Liverpool Young Player of the Year award on Tuesday, he was booed by some fans, while others urged him to stay, per BBC Sport's Ben Smith:

Now, it seems the Sky Blues are looking to swoop in and snap up the want-away 20-year-old, and they believe a £40 million bid will persuade Liverpool to part with their young star, per John Cross and David Maddock in the Mirror. 

City need to bring in some fresh blood over the summer, as their current squad is stale and ageing, and they barely put up a fight in defending their Premier League title this season.

However, Cross and Maddock suggest that, despite Sterling's contract running down, Liverpool will not let the England international go this summer unless a bid of £50 million-plus comes in.

While Sterling has great potential—and is an attractive option for City as a young English player—£50 million sounds steep for a youngster unproven on a consistent basis.

Sky Sports News HQ provides Sterling's stats against the bigger Premier League teams this season, which don't make for the best reading:

City would surely be better advised to splash their cash on a more reliable player than Sterling, although they may be prepared to bank on the great potential he has shown in fits and starts over the last two terms. 

The Etihad outfit may also face competition for Sterling's signature from other big clubs, with Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe making a compelling case for a potential switch to Bayern Munich:

Sterling's future at Liverpool looks far from certain, and with a section of fans having seemingly turned on him, he may not be inclined to stay.

However, if the Reds hold their ground and refuse to sell him unless a huge offer comes in, Sterling may be forced to stay at Anfield for another season.