Liverpool transfer news: Dietmar Hamann hails signing of Raheem Sterling's replacement, £30m Roberto Firmino

Sterling has been heavily linked with move to Manchester City

Raheem Sterling and Roberto Firmino (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes if the club do eventually sell Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in the wake of the capture of Roberto Firmino it will represent their best piece of business for a long time.

The Reds will pay about £22million up front for the Brazil international with a further £7million due in add-ons, potentially making the 23-year-old the second mot expensive signing in their history.

Their record £35million deal to bring Andy Caroll to Anfield in 2011 remains a significant embarrassment but Hamann does not believe the Firmino deal is in that league - especially if they end up selling Sterling to City for close to Liverpool's valuation of £50million having already turned down a £40million offer.

"I've not got a problem with the money Liverpool have paid for Firmino," the German told the Liverpool Echo.

"He's one of the up and coming stars in Brazil and I think he's worth it. Look at what other clubs are spending. To attract the best you have to pay big money.

"If Liverpool get £50million for Sterling and invest half that money in Firmino the club will have made their best business in a long time."

The signing of Firmino from Hoffenheim was processed remarkably quickly, which is not something the club have not been renowned for in recent years.

It also represents a departure from owners Fenway Sports Group's policy of buying players of potential relatively cheaply with the intention of them having a greater re-sale value.

But after the arrivals already of Manchester City midfielder James Milner, Burnley striker Danny Ings, Charlton defender Joe Gomez and Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan Firmino's signing offers the squad a sprinkling of gold dust - something they were lacking last season following the departure of Luis Suarez.

"To be honest, he's the type of player I thought Liverpool wouldn't be able to get without Champions League football," added Hamann.

"To get him is a real statement of intent and hopefully there will be two or three more big signings to come.

"Expectations had gone down and I was worried that Liverpool would go into the new season on a low.

"We've needed a spark from somewhere and this signing has given supporters the boost they needed."

Liverpool's recruitment is set to continue with Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne likely to be added to the squad before they return for pre-season training early next month after making an improved bid worth up to £12.5million.

They are also in the hunt for a striker with Columbia's Carlos Bacca and Venezuela's Salomon Rondon, who have both been in action at the Copa America, but chief executive Ian Ayre has now returned home from Chile having secured the Firmino deal.

Additional reporting by PA