Report: £44m livewire open to Man City exit, Guardiola lauds his ‘special qualities’

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Raheem Sterling is open to leaving Man City this summer but will not be a part of a swap deal for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, according to ESPN.

Man City are prepared to bid £100m for Kane after he told Spurs that he wants to leave north London. Yet it will likely not be enough as Daniel Levy eyes £150m for the Chelsea and Manchester United target.

The Citizens could test Levy’s resolve by including players in part-exchange with Sterling and Gabriel Jesus options, per The Sun. But Sterling will not play a part and will only leave the Etihad Stadium this summer ‘on his terms’.

Sterling had already threw a spanner into the works by refusing to be a part of a deal for Kane. The winger is not interested in being used as a bargaining tool for Man City to sign his England teammate.

But Sterling could now leave Man City two years before his £300,000-per-week contract expires. Although, The Telegraph have claimed talks will take place over a new long-term deal once he returns from Euro 2020.

The 26-year-old played a lesser role in Pep Guardiola’s plans towards the end of last season. But he started 41 of his 49 appearances across all competitions, including the Carabao and Champions League finals.

He has remained a favourite of England boss Gareth Southgate, too, with starts in both Euro 2020 group stage games. Sterling scored the Three Lions only goal of the tournament so far, as well, with his 15th in international football.

TBR’s view: Man City should work on new Sterling contract

Sterling faces an uncertain future at Man City this summer with the club considering swapping him for Kane. Yet at the same time, reports claim the Citizens are open to discussing a new contract with the winger.

As Sterling will not be involved in plans to sign Kane, Man City should lean toward offering a new contract. The £44m livewire from Liverpool in 2015 still has a lot to offer under Guardiola at the Etihad next season.

Guardiola lauds the ‘special qualities’ Sterling offers Man City, via BBC Sport, and called his Carabao Cup final display ‘amazing’, via Eurosport. Only Ilkay Gundogan (13) also scored more in the Premier League for the Citizens last term than Sterling (10), who trailed only Kevin de Bruyne (12) for assists (8).