Sterling for Man City?

LONDON (AP):

Manchester City are close to making Raheem Sterling the most expensive English footballer.

A person familiar with the situation said yesterday that Liverpool have reached an agreement with City over the transfer of the England winger for £49 million ($76 million).

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss details of a deal that is yet to be completed.

City have had two previous bids for the 20-year-old Sterling turned down this offseason.

Jamaica-born Sterling, who has a contract with Liverpool until 2017, said in an unsanctioned interview with the BBC during last season he had rejected a new deal worth £100,000 a week ($155,000). Around the same time, he was pictured on the front-page of British newspapers apparently smoking a shisha pipe and inhaling nitrous oxide - a legal substance commonly known as laughing gas.

Sterling, a skilful and quick attacker who joined Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers' academy in 2010, is one of English football's top young players and an established member of the national team after making his international debut in 2012. He has scored one goal in 16 England appearances.

For Liverpool, he has scored 23 goals in 129 appearances.

Sterling still has to agree to personal terms and pass a medical examination with City.

Andy Carroll is currently the most expensive English footballer following his move to Liverpool from Newcastle for £35 million (then $56 million) in 2011.