Raheem Sterling has won four Premier League titles in the last five seasons at Manchester City but is unhappy with Pep Guardiola and could be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The 27-year-old is out of contract in 2023, has no intention of signing of a new deal, so City will want to cash in while he still has value rather than let Sterling leave on a free transfer next year. Chelsea look the most likely to sign him.
With the England international scoring 17 goals with nine assists from 47 games this season, Chris Iwelumo can’t believe City would allow such a valuable asset to depart.
He told Sky Sports (h/t Football Daily): “I’m completely in shock that Man City would even think about letting him go to another Premier League side. They won the league by one point, 10 minutes into the last game of the season, so (his goals) so important.”
The problem is that Sterling wants out and won’t sign a new deal. Guardiola wants the 27-year-old to stay and recognises how important he is to City. But the club can’t afford to lose him for nothing in 2023, so this summer is their only chance to extract some value if he isn’t committing his future. And if Chelsea are the only side putting in an acceptable bid, he’ll have to return to London.
It just happens to be the same transfer window that Gabriel Jesus looks set to leave in too, so Guardiola will have to replace the pair which won’t be an easy task. Sterling scored 131 goals with 95 assists in 339 games for City and ticks the homegrown quota box, so there isn’t an obvious replacement without breaking the bank or opting against signing an English player.
In other news, Dean Jones says Raheem Sterling is quite open to joining Chelsea