Liverpool Transfer News: Edin Dzeko 'Rejects' Reds, Roberto Firmino Rumours

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is "not keen" on joining Liverpool and has "rejected" the opportunity to head to Merseyside as part of a deal that would see Raheem Sterling move the opposite way.

City will need to do a "straight cash deal" for Sterling, according to John Cross of the Mirror. Having already had a £25 million-plus-add-ons offer turned down, reported by the Telegraph's Mark Ogden, Manuel Pellegrini's men have now upped the ante, according to Tony Barrett of the Times:

Ogden suggests Liverpool will hold out for £50 million before selling their wantaway forward. Sterling's current deal expires in 2017, meaning his value will begin to drop in the next year if he doesn't ink a new agreement or move on.

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Cross notes Liverpool and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers are "increasingly under pressure to sell Sterling" to fund moves for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke and Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne. Barrett suggests City are destined to offer more for Sterling, who has plenty of improving ahead of him:

B/R UK's Stan Collymore believes the England international has the quality to be a star but must apply himself:

Sterling scored seven and assisted seven during the 2014-15 Premier League run, per WhoScored.com. His departure is likely to be a disappointing inevitability for Liverpool, who failed to make next season's Champions League with their sixth-placed finish in the recently concluded campaign.

The Reds are linked with Hoffenheim midfielder Roberto Firmino, according to Globoesporte (h/t Will Giles of Metro), a player who could replace Sterling's creativity. Jacob Murtagh of the Mirror also notes Liverpool's "strong" interest in the Brazilian but that City and Manchester United have "tracked" his progress in recent times.

Roger Witmann, Firmino's agent, told Bild (h/t Murtagh) his client will soon head to the Premier League with an unnamed club: "All I can say is that he will go to England."

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Firmino scored seven and assisted 10 in 33 Bundesliga appearances during 2014-15, recorded by WhoScored. He is versatile, hard-working and getting better by the season, making him a top prospect for elite European clubs.

Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein believes Firmino would suit Liverpool over the likes of City or United at the current time:

Rodgers is likely exploring plenty of options as he gears up for the departure of Sterling. As shown with the purchases made after Luis Suarez's £75 million exit last season, the incoming cash doesn't go a long way.

Last summer's signings—such as Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Lazar Markovic—barely made an impact. It's pivotal that Rodgers' next batch of talent thrust Liverpool up the table and toward cup success.

Benteke and Firmino would be quality signings but, frustratingly for Liverpool, they could work excellently alongside Sterling, whose departure will rank among the biggest of the transfer window.