KEY POINTS

  • Raheem Sterling recently had a terrific run in Euros
  • He had finished as England's top scorer with 3 goals
  • Barcelona are in a lookout to reduce their wage bill

FC Barcelona could reportedly offer Antoine Griezmann to Manchester City in a swap deal for Raheem Sterling.

Sterling’s future at Manchester City continues to be uncertain, but any move for the Englishman from Barcelona will be "complicated," reported Spanish journalist Tote Costa from Catalonia-based Radio Station Catalunya Radio.

Barcelona are looking to cut down their wage bill in order to maintain the required salary cap set by La Liga. The former La Liga champions recently signed Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero, Emerson, and Eric Garcia but are unable to register any of them in their squad because of their high salary bracket. Even though Lionel Messi has accepted a major pay cut, he has not signed the new deal yet for the same reason.

In addition to that, Barcelona have also sold Konrad de la Fuente, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Junior Firpo. But the Camp Nou side still needs to reduce their wage bill by $236 million, according to Goal.

With Messi’s salary reduced to half, Griezmann is the current highest earner at Barcelona and that is one of the major reasons behind the club’s repetitive attempts of offloading the French forward this summer.

It was earlier reported that Barcelona were also trying to use Griezmann in an exchange deal to land Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou.

Barcelona, who have already signed two Manchester City players this season in Aguero and Garcia, want the Etihad side to include either Riyad Mahrez, Sterling, Bernardo Silva, or Aymeric Laporte in the swap deal for Griezmann, according to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.

However, it is understood that Sterling, who had a terrific run in Euros 2020 for England, is being considered as an ideal candidate in Griezmann’s swap by the Catalans. Also, Barcelona have been monitoring Sterling's contract situation with City for a while now.

Raheem Sterling scores a goal over Germany at Euro 2020
JUNE 29: Raheem Sterling of England celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on June 29, 2021 in London, United Kingdom. Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

With City targeting the signing of Harry Kane, it is believed that the Premier League holders are looking to get rid of a few players, including Sterling. Due to inconsistent performances, Sterling’s role at City has been reduced a lot in recent times, but that did not affect his performances in the Euros 2020. He was easily the best player in the England colors in the tournament, finishing as their top-scorer with three goals and an assist in seven appearances.

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