Raheem Sterling’s entourage have elected to stay quiet about rumours linking him with a move away from Manchester City, for the time being.
That’s according to Sport, who cover the situation around the forward and the ongoing links with Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are believed to be keen on the Manchester City forward, with new manager Xavi eyeing up signings in the January transfer window, and Sterling is believed to be among his targets.
This is backed up by Mundo Deportivo, who say that sources close to the club have made it clear he is the ‘main objective’ for them and they ‘do not hide’ their intention to move for him. Indeed, Mateu Alemany travelled to Manchester to try and sign him in the summer.
Sport say that Sterling is keen on the move and believes Barcelona are ‘one of the most attractive projects’ on the table at present.
He’s been looking for a new project away from Manchester City and would like to play outside of England for the first time in his career.
His status at City would seemingly open up the possibility of a move, with Sterling still not having Pep Guardiola’s ‘full confidence’.
Thus he’s a ‘market opportunity’ for Barcelona, although Barcelona know that the operation would ‘not exactly be easy’ due to their financial situation and the fact Manchester City don’t really need to sell.
They would need a loan deal, which Mundo Deportivo also claim, although they do add that the La Liga side would add an option to buy into the deal.
Sport say this doesn’t really suit City as it would leave them at a ‘disadvantage’, particularly because Sterling’s contract expires in 2023.
The rumours are likely to continue into the January transfer window and beyond, but that won’t see any comment from Sterling and his entourage, who have elected to ‘keep a low profile’ and ‘avoid talking about possible departures’.
At the moment, his renewal is ‘completely frozen’, but the messages they are sending out are of calm and maximum concentration on the season.
It’s stated he is ‘more than ready to pack his bags’ and move, although whether Barcelona or any other offer ‘seduces’ him remains to be seen.
