Manchester City are reportedly demanding a transfer fee of around £45 million for Raheem Sterling, who is a January transfer target for Barcelona.
According to a report from Metro, Manchester City have decided to offload Raheem Sterling in the January transfer window amidst interest from Barcelona and have slapped a price tag of £45 million on the Englishman.
Sterling has been with Manchester City since 2015 when he arrived from rivals Liverpool and has been a critical part of the success that they have achieved in recent years under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola. However, the 26-year-old has seen his game-time reducing since the turn of the year. The situation has worsened since the onset of the new season following the arrival of Jack Grealish.
Sterling has fallen behind Grealish, Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Ferran Torres and Riyad Mahrez in the pecking order of things, starting just three Premier League matches and one in the UEFA Champions League. As a result, the England international has grown frustrated with his plight and is seeking an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
Barcelona have registered serious interest in securing Sterling’s services in the upcoming January transfer window. The Catalan giants have been struggling in the final third since the start of the season, with injuries and lack of depth hampering them. Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati have been mired in fitness struggles, while Martin Braithwaite has also been sidelined due to a serious injury.
With Sergio Aguero also out of action for the foreseeable future due to a heart condition, Barcelona are in desperate need of a new forward ahead of the second half of the season as they look to get their campaign back on the right track.
A move for Sterling has been in the works for a while, and the Blaugrana have now learned what it will take for them to secure the former Liverpool winger’s signing. As per the report, Manchester City will demand between £45 million and £50 million for the 26-year-old England international.
The report adds that the Cityzens will listen to offers for Sterling starting from the January transfer window itself, but they expect major bids to arrive in the summer only. As for Barcelona, given their financial plight, shelling out that sum in the mid-season trading period could prove to be difficult as well, which is why they have been exploring the possibility of signing him on loan.
If signed, Sterling has the potential to be a game-changing addition for Barcelona, who have been overreliant on the young Ansu Fati so far this term. It remains to be seen if the two parties can arrive at an agreement over a transfer for the 26-year-old.
