Transfer Centre

Raheem Sterling reveals he is "open" to leaving Manchester City

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 14 October 2021

Raheem Sterling reveals that he will consider leaving Premier League champions Manchester City and has not ruled out a move abroad.

Raheem Sterling has revealed that he will consider leaving Premier League champions Manchester City and has not ruled out a move abroad.

The 26-year-old faces an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium as he has struggled to displace summer signing Jack Grealish in the starting lineup.

Sterling embarked on his seventh campaign as a City player this season, but having seemingly fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola, the England international has revealed he is "open" to a move at this stage of his career.

Speaking at the Financial Times' Business of Sport US summit, Sterling said: "If there was an opportunity to go somewhere else, I'd be open to it at this moment in time.

"As an English player all I know is the Premier League and I've always thought: 'You know, maybe one day I'd love to play abroad and see how I would come up against that challenge.'"

The Financial Times added in their report that Sterling suggested he would prefer to join a club in either France or Spain if he were to move abroad.

La Liga giants Barcelona are believed to be monitoring Sterling's situation ahead of a proposed move in one of the upcoming transfer windows, while Premier League duo Arsenal and Newcastle United have also been linked with the forward.

Sterling, who has less than two years remaining on his current contract, has made 302 appearances across all competitions for the Citizens, scoring 115 goals and providing 88 assists, however this campaign he has started in just four of City's 10 games in all tournaments, scoring just once.