Guardiola risks losing England ace to Spain as Man City set cut-off point for renewal
Manchester City will reportedly ‘listen to offers’ for forward Raheem Sterling if they have not resolved his contract situation by the summer.
Sterling, 27, has just 18 months left on his current deal. The Premier League champions do not want to lose the England ace but face a dilemma over his future. Signed from Liverpool for £49m in 2015, the Jamaican-born star will be able to leave for nothing at the end of 2022-2023.
City have no intention of letting that happen and have opened dialogue with the winger. However talks have yet to bear any fruit and there are big-name suitors waiting in the wings.
Sterling has long been linked with a move to Spain. And a recent report suggested both Real Madrid and Barcelona are keen to take the former Red to LaLiga.
It is thought that discussions over the star’s future will re-start sooner rather than later. But The Star are reporting that Etihad chiefs will not let the situation fester until next season.
They will invite bids for the man with 72 England caps if he has not committed to Pep Guardiola’s side by June. Valued at around £100m two years ago, the former Queens Park Rangers youth player is now thought to be worth half that amount.
Although Spain might be a destination, other clubs are certain to enter the picture if word gets out that he is available.
Sterling back in favour after blip
Sterling bagged an incredible 31 goals from 52 appearances in all competitions during the 2019-2020 campaign. However, his form tailed off towards the back end of last season and Guardiola lost faith with the schemer.
A superb Euro 2020 shot him back into the spotlight but he remained on the peripheries of City’s side. But Sterling is now back in favour and has played a major role in the Citizens rise to the top of the standings.
They are nine points clear of second-placed Liverpool although Jurgen Klopp’s side do have a game in hand. Reports suggest City are still hopeful of securing his future beyond next year.
But they know that his value will drop considerably if they allow the current situation to continue. There is no chance of Sterling leaving during the current transfer window.
But nothing can be ruled out for six months time. French giants Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the man with 18 England goals to his name.
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