Over the past few weeks, Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
Earlier reports indicated the La Liga side tried to sign the winger towards the end of the last window, but were unsuccessful in their efforts.
On October 19th, Sport explained the player ‘wants to come’ to the Camp Nou and Barca remain ‘optimistic’ about signing him in January.
The Spanish club sacked Ronald Koeman and plan to replace him with Xavi. Journalist Gerard Romero stated the Al-Sadd manager is the front runner to become the Dutchman’s successor. It was also said that Sterling is included on Xavi’s wishlist for Barca.
Friday’s edition of Sport has a report focusing on the England international and his display in City’s EFL Cup defeat to West Ham United. They say the attacker didn’t take advantage of Pep Guardiola’s decision to include him in the starting lineup.
The newspaper further states: ‘His protests about the lack of minutes, including the threat of going to play abroad in the future, ended with Guardiola responding that he wants his players responding on the pitch.’
Sterling has only three league starts and one in the Champions League this season. With 
Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus ahead of him, the report suggests the former Liverpool man is unlikely to get ahead of others.
If there’s no improvement in his situation, Sport say the 26-year-old will be linked with a move away from the Etihad in January.
However, it is ‘unlikely’ City will sell Sterling in the mid-season window, without bringing in a replacement first.
With Barcelona chasing Sterling, his chances of leaving the English champions would only improve if City sign a new attacker in January.
