Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Raheem Sterling and Roberto Firmino Rumours

Liverpool will not budge from their £50 million valuation of forward Raheem Sterling despite having received offers from Manchester City for the Englishman.

The Sky Blues have failed with two bids thus far for Sterling, the most recent of which was worth almost £40 million, per BBC Sport's Ben Smith.

Despite Sterling's refusal to sign a new contract at Anfield and the deterioration of his relationship with his club, Liverpool will accept no less than £50 million if they are going to sell the 20-year-old, per Nigel Whittaker in the Irish Independent.

Bleacher Report's Graham Ruthven is convinced the Premier League runners-up will eventually sign Sterling, but it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to meet Liverpool's asking price:

A £50 million price-tag seems somewhat steep for a player who, while talented, has yet to prove himself on a consistent basis.

But Liverpool are clearly eager to get as much money as possible for one of their biggest assets, especially after spending over £115 million—largely unsuccessfully—last summer.

Sterling has recently been embroiled in controversy after being allegedly pictured taking laughing gas, not the first time he has been involved in such an incident, per the Sun:

As noted by Whittaker, such reports will not necessarily enamour him to potential suitors, but a departure from Anfield is surely eventually inevitable.

However, if no team stumps up the £50 million Liverpool are asking, and with two years left on his contract, Sterling could find himself staying at a club where he is not the most popular of players any more, per talkSPORT.

Reds Looking to Hijack Firmino Move 

Manchester United have been widely reported as the most likely destination for Hoffenheim’s Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino, but Liverpool are apparently looking to hijack the Red Devils' move.

According to Tony Barrett in the Times, attacking midfielder Firmino is being eyed by the Merseyside outfit as they prepare for the likely departure of Sterling.

Barrett added that the signing of the 23-year-old is not dependent on Sterling leaving the club, but he would certainly be a fine replacement for the Englishman, having netted seven times and provided 10 assists in the Bundesliga last season, per WhoScored.com.

Firmino's agent, Roger Wittmann, recently confirmed that his charge would depart Hoffenheim in the summer, per German newspaper Bild (h/t the Press Association and the Guardian): "All I can say is that he’s moving to England."

However, Old Trafford, not Anfield, seems a far more likely destination, especially with United able to offer Champions League football next term. But he would be a very good signing for Liverpool, per Bleacher Report UK:

Brendan Rodgers' side were sorely lacking in creativity last season, a stark contrast to 2013-14 when Luis Suarez inspired them to a 101-goal campaign in the Premier League.

Firmino could help to lead Liverpool back to that kind of attacking prowess, and in turn, help them challenge for the title once more.