Barcelona have identified Raheem Sterling as a key transfer target and want to sign the Manchester City and England forward on loan in January, according to reports.
Sterling has spent six seasons at the Etihad, scoring 115 goals in 302 appearances and helping the club win three Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and the FA Cup.
The 26-year-old played a starring role in England’s memorable run to the Euro 2020 final over the summer but the signs suggest his influence at Man City is on the decline.
Sterling has started only two of Manchester City’s Premier League matches so far this season, playing back-up to the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and £100m signing Jack Grealish.
Barcelona hope to take advantage of Sterling’s uncertain situation at the Etihad by signing him on loan in January, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Spanish giants are struggling financially but Sterling’s salary will reportedly not be an issue after the departures of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who worked with Sterling while he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant, is also interested in securing a deal.
Sterling was thought to be the subject of a proposed swap deal with Tottenham involving Harry Kane over the summer but Spurs held firm and kept hold of the England captain.
Last month, Rio Ferdinand described Manchester City’s treatment of Sterling as ‘baffling’ and claimed both Manchester United and Liverpool would jump at the chance to sign him.
‘Where is Raheem Sterling? He’s lost confidence because he’s been taken out of the team,’ Ferdinand said.
‘He was the go-to guy when they needed a goal, for so many years, and now all of a sudden he’s in the wilderness.
‘I’m baffled by it, I just don’t understand. With Pep, he gets things right more often than not, but with this one there must be clubs sitting there going ‘let’s see how this pans out because I would take Sterling all day!’
Ferdinand added: ‘If I’m Liverpool, I’d buy Sterling tomorrow … If I’m him, I wouldn’t go to Barcelona or Real Madrid right now, that’s why I said Liverpool … Man United will take him!’
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