Bayern Munich are tipped to put themselves front and centre in the race for Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling this summer.
Sterling has refused to extend his contract with Liverpool, which expires in 2017, and is set to tell the club this Friday at a meeting with manager Brendan Rodgers and CEO Ian Ayre that he wants to leave.
The winger has grown disillusioned at Anfield due to the club's failure to finish in the top four of the Premier League and challenge for trophies; Sterling has consistently insisted that silverware matters more than money when deciding his future.
According to German daily Bild, Pere Guardiola, brother of Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola, contacted Sterling's representatives earlier this season to register an interest in the winger.
Bayern Munich are now tipped to step up their interest in Sterling as they fret about how to replace ageing wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.
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The Bavarians have been impressed with Sterling's progress at Liverpool, while the Merseyside club may favour selling the winger to a club abroad to avoid strengthening domestic rivals.
In England, Arsenal and Manchester City have both been linked with bidding for Sterling.
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