KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona has kept tabs on Raheem Sterling and is planning a loan move for him in January
  • Sterling is keen on leaving Manchester City in search of first-team action after Jack Grealish's arrival
  • The Spanish side is in need of scoring after Sergio Aguero's injury and Lionel Messi's departure

La Liga's Barcelona has their eyes firmly set on signing a striker this January, and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling is at the top of their wish list.

Mundo Deportivo reported that Barcelona now has the capital to make a move for the disgruntled Sterling during the winter transfer window.

Sterling was supposed to join Barcelona during the summer, but talks broke down in the final weeks.

The Spanish side remains confident that they can sign him away from Manchester City on a loan move.

Sport.Es corroborated this story in a way after they reported that Sterling is very much excited to leave the Etihad Stadium and become the primary striker for Barcelona.

The outlet also revealed that Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany’s travel to Manchester was not for Manchester United star Edinson Cavani but for Sterling.

The £100 million ($136 million) signing of Jack Grealish this summer has left Sterling languishing on the bench as Manchester City looks to win a third title in four years.

A move to Barcelona would allow Sterling to play a much bigger role after Lionel Messi’s shocking departure this summer.

The same out also divulged that Sterling’s side and Barcelona have kept a healthy line of communication in recent weeks, so it may not be surprising to see the England international wearing a Blaugrana jersey towards the latter half of the season.

Barcelona is in dire need of scoring this season after Sergio Aguero’s injury, and a move for Sterling should be able to help fill that hole.

The Camp Nou side is currently in ninth place in La Liga with 11 points, 11 points behind league-leading Real Madrid.

The only sticking point thus far is Sterling’s wages, but Barcelona is more than willing to negotiate a deal for the English standout by the winter transfer window.

Manchester City currently sits at third place after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool and will look to secure first place by pulling off the win against Burnley on October 16.

RELATED STORIES