Manchester City don’t want to lose Raheem Sterling on a free transfer in 2023 but aren’t making any progress on contract talks, so their only chance of getting money back is by selling him before the transfer window shuts.
The 27-year-old has interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the Spanish giants don’t have the funds to sign him permanently and may wait until his contract expires next summer.
Dean Jones says City are desperate to avoid that outcome, so they’re ‘pushing’ Sterling to leave now and will allow him to join a Premier League title rival if it means making back most of the £49m spent back in 2017.
He told Give Me Sport: “This is a big decision for Sterling to make as he has also been considering going on a free next summer – he knows Real Madrid or Barcelona will take him. City seem to be pushing him towards an exit now though and that is why Chelsea could happen.”
The England international made 47 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 17 goals with nine assists. He played in a lot of games but started only 23 league games from a possible 38 and started five Champions League outings from a possible 12, so Pep Guardiola’s squad rotation is forcing him out of the club.
Sterling was open to a move abroad last summer, but it appears he’s just as happy to make a divisional switch. Returning to London might be the clincher too.