According to reports, another Manchester City star is interested in a move to Barcelona and the process is “willing to reduce his salary considerably,” to be able to play for the Catalan outfit. The player in contention is none other than highly rated City forward, Raheem Sterling, The Mirror understands.
Sterling, 26, has been tipped to pen down a deal with Barcelona since the previous summer window with his game time being severely affected by the rise of players like Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Ferran Torres. And signing Jack Grealish for a record £100 million hasn’t helped his cause either. As a result, the Englishman managed a solitary goal in his first 10 appearances of this season for the reigning champions and found it a stern task to find himself a place in Guardiola’s starting XI.
However, Sterling regained his goal-scoring form within knack of time scoring 6 goals, and steadied the ship on several occasions when the Cityzens were under the pump. The 26-year-old has put all the rumors hovering around his future at the Etihad to bed unlocking his true potential at a crucial juncture of the season leading City to an 11 match unbeaten streak that is yet to be broken.
Having said that, Sterling seems to have retained his interest in joining forces with Barcelona. This comes as per Spanish outlet El Nacional. He has certainly made his intentions clear when the news came that he was learning Spain from his former City mate, Ferran Torres who himself signed a five-year contract with the Catalans after parting ways with Manchester City for a £55 million deal.
Raheem can be a perfect fit to Xavi’s ploy of playing with wide wingers and thus it justifies the desperation Barcelona are in to sign the Englishman. Nevertheless, the Skyblues would be demanding around £70 million for Sterling and this just can’t be afforded by the Spanish Giants who still find themselves in financial crisis.
Sterling though would be guaranteed to get the time he requires on the pitch at Camp Nou but with a rapidly progressing Ansu Fati in the ranks, I don’t feel Barcelona would look to pen down a deal with the City winger.
However, if at all Xavi wants Sterling, the key for the deal to go ahead may lie in Pep Guardiola’s ability to persuade Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong to move in the opposite direction, the report concludes.