Raheem Sterling tells Man City he wants Barcelona move
Raheem Sterling has informed Manchester City that he wishes for a loan move to Barcelona in January.
Despite being one of England’s best players during the European Championship this summer, Sterling has been frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities at the Etihad Stadium, starting only three games this season.
Pep Guardiola has challenged the 26-year-old, who has 18 months left on his contract, to force his way back into the first team and find his best form, similar to how Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva have enjoyed a resurgence this season, but Sterling does not believe he is in the Spaniard’s long-term plans.
According to sources close to the club, Sterling has gone so far as to inform Guardiola that he would like to join Barcelona – who have expressed interest – on an initial loan deal in January, with the allure of playing at Camp Nou too great to pass up.
Guardiola has told Manchester City executives Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain that he will not be forced to play anyone, and that if Sterling wants out, he will sanction the move – though he was understandably coy in his press conference before Saturday’s game against Everton when asked about Sterling’s future.
“Don’t ask me from now on until the last day of the window about transfers because I’m not going to answer,” Guardiola said. “It is not my business and it is not our business – Raheem’s either. Our business is Everton, PSG, West Ham, and the rest.
“I’m not going to answer any questions about what is going to happen in the future because I don’t know. And I am not concerned for one second.”
Meanwhile, City’s hierarchy believes Sterling has a future at the club and is hesitant to let him leave without a replacement.
One move they could make is for Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal, who is one of City’s top targets and someone they’ve been tracking for a long time, but convincing them to do business in the January transfer window may be difficult.
Nonetheless, Sterling will try to force a move to Barcelona, ignoring the advances of PSG, Juventus, Inter, and Atletico Madrid, all of whom have inquired about his availability.
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Raheem Sterling tells Man City he wants Barcelona move
