Manchester City superstar set for a move this Winter

Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling (L), Manchester City's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (C) and Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (R) celebrate on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on August 21, 2021. - Manchester City won the game 5-0. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling (L), Manchester City's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (C) and Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (R) celebrate on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on August 21, 2021. - Manchester City won the game 5-0. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Raheem Sterling has been the subject of the latest transfer rumors involving Manchester City. The Englishman has struggled for playtime in the recent past with the likes of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden gaining preference in Pep Guardiola’s books.

Sterling, 26, is yet to unlock his true potential and already is one of the best players in the world. Having said that, the former Liverpool man could look for a move away from the club in order to spend some more minutes on the field.

Sport understands that FC Barcelona are heavily interested in bringing Sterling to Camp Nou. The 26-year-old is said to be among the top targets for the former La Liga champions, with Barcelona already being linked with a swoop for Sterling this past summer.

The source understands that Barcelona are likely to return for Sterling this winter but will only look for a loan move, given their delicate financial situation.

Having lost Messi and Griezmann in a dramatic summer window for the Catalan giants, Barcelona have surely lost a lot of firepower in their attack and the addition of Raheem Sterling will only boost an already-depleted attack.

Pep Guardiola still maintains his stance of considering Sterling as a key player but has urged the winger to fight for his place in the XI. The former Barcelona boss wants Sterling to regain his past form.

With Manchester City set to go all-out for a striker next summer, the chances of Sterling featuring even in a false-9 system look bleak. Having said that, the Englishman was at his best in the recently concluded Euro 2020 and was arguably England’s best player in the competition.

With the potential and skill at his disposal, Sterling is surely expected to stay and fight for his place at the Etihad Stadium but a move to Barcelona cannot be ruled out for the winger.