Reason for Guardiola frustration emerges after stunning Sterling development
A fresh report claims Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has now demanded the club allow him to join Barcelona in the January transfer window.
The 26-year-old used to the one of the first names on Pep Guardiola’s team sheet. However, he is now on the peripheries of the first team with just three Premier League starts this season. Rumours of discontent in the Sterling camp have been doing the rounds for some time.
And links to Barca began to surface earlier this season. The former Liverpool man has also started just one Champions League game and the writing may be on the wall.
Sterling continues to shine for England. He was a key member of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side that reached the final of Euro 2020.
But Guardiola refuses to give him the nod at domestic level and something will have to give. The Spanish tactician was asked about the winger’s future at his Friday press conference.
However, clearly irked by the question, he was unwilling to go into any details about the situation.
“Don’t ask me from now on until the transfer window is open because I’m not going to answer them,” Guardiola said (via Manchester Evening News).
“Mine and Raheem’s focus is on the games, I’m not going to answer any questions about what’s going to happen in the future because I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
But, according to 90min, the Jamaican-born ace has now informed Guardiola that he wants to move to the Nou Camp in January. And it seems as though the boss will not stand in his way.
Sterling exit likely
The former Barcelona coach has told Etihad chiefs that he will not be forced into giving anyone playing time against his will. Sterling is unwilling to allow the current situation to continue.
And Guardiola is thought to be happy to let him move to the LaLiga giants. Players such as Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are now regulars in the starting XI.
And City have performed well with their new-look midfield. They trail table-topping Chelsea by six points in the table but have a game in hand on Tomas Tuchel’s Blues.
Give our social media channels a follow – we’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
That comes on Sunday when compatriot Rafa Benitez brings Everton to the Etihad. It remains to be seen if Sterling plays any part but his long-term future looks to be away from the club.
READ MORE: Big update on Man City pursuit of Barcelona star Pep Guardiola ‘loves’
The post Reason for Guardiola frustration emerges after stunning Sterling development appeared first on TEAMtalk.