Raheem Sterling is once again all over the Catalan media on Monday, as Barcelona’s eagerness for a January deal continues to be the biggest transfer story around the club.
Mundo Deportivo have what amounts to nearly a double page spread, but there’s a lot of words without a great deal actually being said, and certainly nothing in terms of an actual update.
Sunday saw the Catalan media explain Manchester City are looking for around €50m for the 26-year-old. That would be out of the question for Barcelona with regards to a January transfer, yet it was made clear a loan with a purchase clause, which would become mandatory if Sterling made a certain number of appearances, was possible.
Well, Sport now say that isn’t the case.
First off, they explain Barcelona have been working on the potential signing for months. It’s even claimed they had agreement from both Sterling and Manchester City at the end of the summer window, however, the failure to sign either Cristiano Ronaldo or Harry Kane saw Pep Guardiola’s side kill things.
As far as things stand now, Sport say: ‘Barça are only willing to negotiate a transfer with a 
non-mandatory purchase option until June. Depending on the performance of the footballer, the club could exercise this option that would be above 50 million euros.’
So, in other words, they don’t want to make a commitment over a permanent transfer.
Manchester City’s stance on that will be interesting.
