Raheem Sterling appears set to leave Manchester City to join Barcelona on loan in January, according to reports.
On Saturday, Sterling made his first start in the Premier League since City’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on the opening day but was unable to inspire the Blues to a win.
Southampton might count themselves unlucky to not have been awarded a penalty after referee Jon Moss overturned his original decision to award a spot-kick once he reviewed the footage on the VAR monitor.
Sterling was unfortunate to not have grabbed the winning goal in the final stages after his effort was ruled out as offside.
And now the Kingston-born forward looks to be heading away from the Etihad, with reports from Spanish outlet Sport suggesting he is “predisposed” to a January move to the Catalan capital.
Sport report Sterling sees Barcelona as the “ideal destination” to get his career back on track following a 2021 where he has found himself surplus to requirements under Pep Guardiola. He was previously considered to be an “untouchable” part of Guardiola’s side but has found himself “losing prominence” in recent months.
Sterling, who was England’s outstanding attacker during Euro 2020, was voted out of City’s five-man leadership team, demonstrating a dwindling influence over a side he had been used to playing a key part of under Guardiola.
Barcelona were keen in the summer, and club Director of Football Mateu Alemany even travelled to Manchester to negotiate the signing. He initially offered a swap deal including Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele or Sergi Roberto, but was rebuffed by City’s transfer chiefs.
Elsewhere, former City youngster Adrian Bernabe could make City pay for failing to recognise his significant potential.
Bernabe, 20, left City for Italian side Parma this summer after failing to break into the first team. He made a total of five appearances for City’s first team but struggled to break into a central midfield spot ahead of the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.
According to Bernabeu Digital, Real Madrid are reportedly considering a move for the Spanish youth international, whilst Liverpool also hold an interest.
Los Blancos are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the Barcelona academy product, who is highly rated in his home country.
