The reasons why Real Madrid and Chelsea are eyeing a surprise Raheem Sterling raid have been detailed amid comments from Man City’s chairman.
Man City have already signed Julian Alvarez and have all but wrapped up a deal to bring Erling Haaland on board. However, recent comments by Man City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, revealed their business was far from completed.
“I can confirm that there will be more players coming in,” he told Man City’s official website.
“We are looking to strengthen the team in the areas that we need strengthening. As you know, every season some players leave, and then we have to continuously refresh the team.
“Again, we will always look at improving and strengthening. I think we’ve made two very important additions already, but I anticipate we’ll be doing a couple more.
“We’ll try to go as fast as we can, but you know how the market goes. It’s not always entirely in our control.”
What positions Man City will target are as yet unknown. However, according to the Guardian, another wide forward may be signed to replace Raheem Sterling.
The 27-year-old has one more year left on his current City contract. Sterling represents himself in negotiations and there has been little talk of an extension being in the works.
What’s more, Sterling struggled for starts more than he has ever done at the Etihad this season. With new forwards arriving and Phil Foden getting better and better in his favoured left wing role, Sterling’s time after seven years in Manchester may be up.
Chelsea, Real Madrid watching closely
The Guardian state Chelsea and Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on the situation. The reasons why both clubs are interested is detailed in the piece.
Firstly, Madrid missed out on Kylian Mbappe and are poised to lose several of their depth pieces in the final third. All three of Luka Jovic, Mariano Diaz and Gareth Bale are due to leave this summer.
Sterling is capable of operating all across the forward line and could be a handy addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Elsewhere, Chelsea’s need for regular goals is detailed after falling way behind Liverpool and Man City in that department this season.
They conceded just seven league goals more than the pair, though scored 18 fewer than Liverpool and 23 fewer than Man City.
The Blues splashed out £97.5m on Romelu Lukaku last summer. However, the Belgian has flopped and there’s already talk of a premature return to Inter Milan.
The article – written by Guardian heavyweights Fabrizio Romano, Jamie Jackson and Jacob Steinberg – speculates one of City’s next two signings could be a direct replacement for Sterling.
Should Raheem Sterling stay or go?
The answer to that question depends entirely on whether the 27-year-old is content with taking a back seat.
Haaland will occupy the central striking role with Foden most often deployed on the left. His primary competition will be Jack Grealish after taking a year to adapt to Guardiola’s system.
Riyad Mahrez continues to operate at an elite level on the right, though Gabriel Jesus has been linked with Arsenal. Regardless, a straight shoot-out between Mahrez and Sterling would likely see the Algerian emerge on top.
If Sterling is unwilling to accept an increasingly reduced role then a move would make sense. He still has plenty of prime years to come and has shown he is a consistent provider of goals when playing.
What’s more, his pace would provide Thomas Tuchel with something Chelsea lack at times. The bulk of forwards they usually operate with – such as Lukaku, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz – are not know for stretching defences in behind.
Sterling has talked up his admiration of Real Madrid in the past. Though displacing Vinicius Jr. on the left flank is a rather ambitious notion.
