Barcelona are ‘keeping a close eye’ on Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling as they look to add a forward to their squad in January.
That’s according to Sport, who say the England star is on a list of potential targets Barcelona are looking at to replace the stricken Sergio Aguero.
Aguero is set to miss at least three months of the season after being diagnosed with a heart condition, which will require further tests and an absence from the pitch.
That’s left Barcelona short of options up front, having already lost Martin Braithwaite to a knee injury earlier in the season that will see him ruled out until the end of December at the earliest.
Thus they want to look at options in January and Sterling is one of them currently on the list being compiled for potential new boss Xavi.
No decision will be made until he is hired but the club want to plan ahead regardless and be ready to move when the time comes.
Although Sterling is not a ‘pure 9’ like Aguero, Barcelona are ‘keeping a close eye’ on his situation at Manchester City and whether they can get him.
Unlike other options such as Edinson Cavani or Alexandre Lacazette, getting him out of the Etihad is ‘much more complicated’ as he is only 26, tied to a deal until 2023 and has a market value of around €90m.
Barcelona’s hope is that the ‘good relations’ between Joan Laporta’s board and those at Manchester City, plus the Premier League side’s desire to reduce their wage bill and bring in money to sign a striker in the summer, could play in their favour.
There are also Sterling’s intentions, with the player having recently admitted he would like a move and wouldn’t mind playing in Spain.
Those are all factors that play into Barcelona’s hands, although there are clearly plenty of negotiations needed before this can be considered a done deal.
