Barcelona and Real Madrid have reportedly intensified their efforts to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly ready to ramp up their interest in Raheem Sterling heading into the summer transfer window. The Manchester City forward will enter the final twelve months of his deal with the Premier League champions in July.
Raheem Sterling has come leaps and bounds since joining Manchester City from Liverpool in July 2015. The Englishman has transformed into a prolific goalscorer for club and country in the last seven years, establishing himself as a pivotal figure for City and England during this period.
Sterling enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign, amassing 17 goals and nine assists in 47 outings across all competitions. But the 27-year-old faces an uncertain future at the Etihad, as his Manchester City contract will run out next year. Such a situation has captured the attention of several high profile clubs across Europe, including Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Barcelona wanted to sign Sterling in the January transfer window before bringing Ferran Torres from Manchester City instead. But the Catalan giants remain interested in Sterling amid the rising uncertainties surrounding the future of Ousmane Dembele.
While Raphinha is Barcelona’s priority target to replace Dembele, Leeds United’s high asking price will force the Blaugrana to consider alternatives. Sterling is thus a viable target for Barcelona, who will need to fend off stiff competition from Real Madrid to land the Manchester City forward.
The interest from Real Madrid comes in the wake of their inability to bring Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain in a Bosman move. With the Frenchman staying put at Parc des Princes, the Merengues have had to scour the market for alternatives, with Sterling emerging as a candidate to reinforce their offensive unit.
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In addition to Barcelona and Real Madrid, Sterling is also a target for Atletico Madrid. And the three La Liga giants are ready to step up their efforts to sign the Manchester City forward in the summer transfer window, especially with the Citizens yet to agree to a renewal with the 27-year-old. An intriguing window beckons Sterling, and he could embark on a new adventure soon.
