While a majority of the discourse around Manchester City’s summer business has revolved around the blockbuster arrival of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, another major development worth keeping an eye out for is Raheem Sterling’s future at the Etihad Stadium.
Alongside the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez, the England international’s current Manchester City contract is set to run out in the summer of 2023.
However, it has been widely reported that while City officials have offered the prolific winger the chance to extend his seven-year stay at the club, the former Liverpool man has stalled on committing his future due to becoming an irregular fixture in the side for the majority of the past two seasons.
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As a result, it comes as no surprise that several European sides have reportedly tried to unsettle the 27 year-old by attempting to prise him away from Manchester.
The likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur have all made respective moves, while there has been talk in some quarters of the player himself offering his services to clubs in light of having no formal agency representation.
Sterling has always been open about his desire to ply his trade in the La Liga or potentially in another one of the continent’s elite divisions one day.
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Details have now emerged about one club in the Premier League eyeing an audacious swoop for the forward this summer.
As per information provided by Simon Mullock of the Mirror, Chelsea will make their move for Raheem Sterling once Romelu Lukaku’s loan deal to Inter Milan gets over the line.
With the Belgian striker’s £97.5 million mega-transfer failing to live up to the hype during the 2021/22 season, the Manchester City ace may be considered as the perfect alternative to singlehandedly shoulder the West London outfit’s woes in front of goal.
In addition, it is worth noting that during Manchester City’s Premier League winning campaign last term, the Kingston-born wideman registered the least number of minutes since his debut season in East Manchester.
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Despite Gabriel Jesus’ switch to Arsenal looking set to be completed sooner rather than later, the presence of the likes of Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden could prove to be a threat to Raheem Sterling’s playing time once again.
Pep Guardiola has of course showcased a preference towards the aforementioned trio as opposed to the Three Lions icon since the start of last term.
While it would not come as a surprise to see the Sky Blues’ number seven push for a move elsewhere in a bid to become a guaranteed starter, some may find it unlikely that the club will sanction the sale of a player of his calibre to a domestic rival.
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However, from the player's perspective, game time is a necessity to secure his place at the FIFA World Cup later this year.
Featured Image Credit: REUTERS / AlamyTopics: Raheem Sterling, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester City, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Transfers