Pep Guardiola is reportedly willing to sell Manchester City superstar Raheem Sterling this summer in order to fund transfer moves for Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland, which could prove to be an excellent decision by the Spanish manager.
What’s the word?
According to Football Insider, Guardiola is planning an overhaul of his Man City attack this summer, which could see Sterling depart as the Etihad outfit look to raise funds ahead of potential moves for Aston Villa’s Grealish and Borussia Dortmund’s Haaland.
The report suggests that the former Barcelona boss no longer considers the England international to be an integral part of his squad and that he would be willing to sell him this summer should the club receive a suitable offer.
Should Man City sell him?
Sterling was one of City’s most impressive performers earlier in the campaign and has contributed nine goals and six assists in the Premier League this season, averaging a superb 7.23 rating.
Should Man City sell Sterling?
Yes
No
However, after a poor run of form, which has seen him contribute no goals and just one assist in his last 11 appearances, he has dropped down the pecking order under Guardiola and has regularly been left out of key games in the Champions League and Premier League.
The former Liverpool man has truly looked desperate for a goal in recent weeks and it seems as if his far too regular habit of missing big chances has finally come back to haunt him under Guardiola, who has preferred the more consistent Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez on the wings for the past few months of the season.
Sterling is obviously still an incredibly talented footballer, with Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers labelling him “world-class” last season but if City do want to cash in on him, then they need to do it sooner rather than later.
The 26-year-old’s form over the past few months, as well as the financial impact of the pandemic, has seen his market value, according to Transfermarkt, drop 37.5% from £144m in December 2019 to £90m.
If Sterling’s poor performances continue then his value will only continue to drop further, so Guardiola is perhaps right to want to sell him this summer in the hope that they can still receive a huge fee for the winger, which can go towards improving the squad ahead of next season.
And, in other news… Txiki should seal Man City swoop for “amazing” gem loved by Bruno Fernandes