Player ‘wants to leave’ Manchester City – January transfer would be desired

The Catalan media continue to link Raheem Sterling with a move to Barcelona, although the finances of a deal will be very difficult indeed.

With Xavi set to be appointed the club’s new manager, attention has turned back to the transfer window, and there’s no doubt that the squad needs improving if a challenge for titles is going to be realistic this season.

Injuries have hit the team in attack, and that’s where the concentration is now on finding recruits.

Mundo Deportivo say Raheem Sterling ‘wants to leave’ Manchester City due to a lack of time on the pitch under Pep Guardiola. However, he has a high salary, and City ‘would not make it easy’ for the transfer to happen.

Barca are hoping for loan moves, knowing it’s unlikely they can finance a big permanent signing in the January market. Such a loan could include a mandatory buying clause, so the fee is pushed back until the summer.

Sterling has a contract with Manchester City lasting until June 2023, and given the player is 26-years-of-age there seems little reason for his current club to agree to a cut-price deal.

He’s played 376 minutes of Premier League football so far this season, mainly as a substitute.