Manchester City is Raheem Sterling's only option, says Ray Wilkins

Ray Wilkins thinks Manchester City is Raheem Sterling’s only possible destination after the club tabled a second bid of around £40m for the England forward.

Sky sources reported on Tuesday that Chelsea were interested in signing Sterling but were not prepared to meet Liverpool's £50m valuation for the player.

But it seems City, who had a £25m-plus bid rejected last week, have now improved their offer by a figure in the region of £10-£15m and Wilkins believes that offer will have scared other clubs.

I personally would like to see him at Liverpool because I think he’ll play. He’s upset them immensely but you can always turn that round by performing on the pitch.

“For other people to come in now would be extremely difficult,” Wilkins told Sky Sports News HQ.

“Even for the big boys in Spain I think it would be too much for them at £40m, considering his age.

"He’s had an indifferent back end to the season it has to be said but there’s been a lot of pressure on the young guy as well.”

Sterling is under contract at Anfield until 2017, but has turned down the offer of a new deal worth £100,000 a week.

The 20-year-old has received plenty of criticism from Liverpool fans in recent weeks but Wilkins thinks he should stay at the club and get supporters back on side with performances on the pitch.

He added: “I personally would like to see him at Liverpool because I think he’ll play.

“He’s upset them immensely but you can always turn that round by performing on the pitch.”