Liverpool Transfer News: Huge Raheem Sterling Bid Rumours, Asmir Begovic Latest

Liverpool's battle to keep hold of Raheem Sterling looks to be underway after it emerged that Manchester City have lodged their first bid for the attacker, while Stoke City are looking to hand Asmir Begovic a new deal.

According to Sky Sports News, the Reds have rejected City's bid worth £25 million plus add-ons, intensifying speculation the winger could leave Anfield in the months to come:

Sterling has two years remaining on his current Liverpool contract, but after seeing their star reject a new deal worth £100,000 in March, the club faces a dilemma over whether to let their player leave.

Oliver Kay of the Times adds that Liverpool supposedly value Sterling at £50 million but questions that sum when the Reds have yet to upgrade on their £100,000-a-week improvement:

City have been touted as one of the favourites to sign Sterling not long after it was confirmed James Milner will leave the Etihad Stadium for Anfield on a free transfer in July.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe commented on Sterling's predicament in May, suggesting Bayern Munich could be the England international's most likely destination:

Considering he's still 20 years of age and already holds a prominent place in Brendan Rodgers' squad, some may see it as ill-advised for Sterling to contemplate a move at this point in his career.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen doesn't think the club would suffer from his sale, though. The Guardian's Paul Doyle quoted him as calling the forward "replaceable" this week:

"

Put it this way: a year ago they lost Suarez and he’s irreplaceable. You cannot replace someone that good. If Liverpool lose Sterling, they can replace him with the money you get. He’s a very good player with lots of potential, but you can replace him.

If I was a Liverpool fan, I’d obviously be wanting an answer [as to whether Sterling will stay or go] but I wouldn’t be losing sleep if he did leave and you got a fair old chunk of money for him.

"

Manchester City will have lost one of their homegrown players when Milner's exit is made official, and it's undoubtedly part of Sterling's appeal that he would go toward fulfilling that quota.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News agrees that Liverpool's alleged valuation may not be completely honest, perhaps suggesting City are closer to an accurate bid than some might think:

The Merseysiders must also question how badly they wish to retain a player whose priorities would appear to lie elsewhere, despite Sterling's protests that money isn't his motivation, per BBC Sport's Natalie Pirks.

While that may be the case, Manuel Pellegrini's side are in a position to more readily meet any financial expectations, with City getting an early start in their negotiation attempts. 

Stoke Hoping to Keep Begovic at Britannia

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Stoke City are looking to ward off summer interest in goalkeeper Begovic and are hoping to agree on a new deal with their No. 1.

Liverpool have been linked with the Bosnia & Herzegovina international, but Potters chief executive Tony Scholes told BBC Radio Stoke (via BBC Sport) of the club's intent to keep their star:

"

He's keeping his options open. I don't know whether or who he might be speaking to. That's not accusing him of anything. That's the reality of it. He's away on holiday at the moment but we hope to sit down with him and his representatives again in the near future. It would be nice if we were able to sort something.

"

With reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones having been released already this summer, Rodgers is in the hunt for a new stopper, either to provide cover for Simon Mignolet or to contend alongside the Belgium international.

Bolton Wanderers keeper Adam Bogdan has been touted by Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo as an imminent free arrival at Anfield, in which case Rodgers would look to be settled with Mignolet as his first choice.

Should contract talks with Begovic fail to bear fruit, Stoke will then be under pressure to make a call on the 27-year-old's Britannia Stadium future, with Liverpool likely to be one of those clubs intrigued.

Begovic's current deal will expire in the summer of 2016, and rather than lose their star for free, the temptation may be to cash in while they can this summer.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Mark Hughes has a young talent waiting in the wings in the form of Jack Butland, who penned a new four-year deal with Stoke in March and has already made his full England debut.

Liverpool are alleged to be closing in on Bogdan, but a potential cut-price deal for Begovic would give the team some terrific competition for the No. 1 spot.