Report: Man City request 24-year-old Barcelona forward in exchange for Raheem Sterling

For years, Barcelona non-sporting problems remained hidden behind the curtains because, with quality players on the pitch, results and trophies have followed without fail. However, that has ceased to be the case over the last two seasons, and their undoing have been set in stone for this season.

Barça have played nine games across two competitions this season, scoring just 11 goals and conceding 13. With problems on both ends of the pitch, the club has decided to take it one step at a time and work on the offensive unit first. As such, Raheem Sterling’s name has popped up continually over the last six months.

If recent developments from El Nacional are to be believed, Manchester City have demanded Ousmane Dembele in exchange for the English winger.

Manchester City boast of one of the strongest squads across Europe, with star players in each position. However, as a consequence, some of these players have fallen down the pecking order, including Sterling.

Report: Man City will reject any bids for Barcelona target Raheem Sterling

He has started just two games in the Premier League so far and has scored just the one goal across three competitions. In search of game time, Sterling has reportedly said yes to Barcelona.

Dembele, on the other hand, has not played a single game this season after picking up another long-term injury at the European Championship. But much like Sterling, the Frenchman can play on both wings and boats of electric pace with the ball.

The report states that Barça and Pep Guardiola are on excellent terms, which would help this deal go through. Both Sterling and Dembele could do with a change of environment, and while the former has to regain some form and confidence, the latter needs to get over his injury woes to reach his potential.

Writer’s opinion

This deal makes a lot of sense for Barcelona and would probably be an excellent call, but for Manchester City, it sounds like a horrible idea.

Dembele’s contract expires in the summer of 2022, which means he could potentially join City on a free transfer if Guardiola really wanted his signing.

Not to mention, Sterling’s brilliant fitness record stands towering over his French counterpart’s. It would be best to take this piece of news with several hundred pinches of salt.