Manchester City Forward Considering Leaving On Free Transfer Next Summer

Raheem Sterling is seriously considering leaving Manchester City when his contract expires next summer, according to a new report.

The 27-year-old is believed to have expressed his desire to leave the Etihad Stadium after seven seasons in Manchester.

Sterling has held talks with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel over a switch to Stamford Bridge and how he will fit into the German's starting XI.

Raheem Sterling in action for Manchester City (Image: Alamy)

Since his arrival to the Etihad Stadium from Liverpool in 2015, Sterling has been a key player for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.

The England international ranks third in the scoring charts for players who have worked at the senior level under Pep Guardiola, behind only Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.

However, Sterling was often in and out of the starting XI last season and started just 32 of Manchester City's 58 games across all competitions.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling in action (Image: Alamy)

Guardiola rotated Sterling with the likes of Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus as City retained the Premier League title for the second time under the Catalan.

Sterling was out of favour with Guardiola at the start of last season and was open to leaving on loan to get back to form and stake a claim in City's starting XI.

However, his return to the lineup saw Sterling flourish and produce a string of excellent attacking displays that earned him Guardiola's trust back.

Manchester City forwards Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez (Image: Alamy)

As he enters the final year of his current contract at the Etihad Stadium, Raheem Sterling has a decision to make on his future and where he sees himself play in the peak years of his professional career.

Manchester City have acted early in the transfer window by securing the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to bolster their frontline.

Gabriel Jesus could very soon be confirmed as an Arsenal player after the Brazilian passed medical tests in London on Tuesday ahead of a reported £45 million switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Raheem Sterling could be on his way to Chelsea this summer (Image: Alamy)

Chelsea are set to make an improved offer for Raheem Sterling in the coming days with a view of completing a deal in the next week.

There is said to be confidence amongst all parties a deal will go through that will see the England forward swap the Etihad Stadium for Stamford Bridge.

However, a new report has mentioned Sterling is yet to make a concrete decision on his future at Manchester City ahead of the new campaign.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and forward Raheem Sterling (Image: Alamy)

As reported by Graeme Bailey of 90min, Sterling is far from clear on his future at Manchester City and is yet to decide where he will play next season.

The attacker is believed to have been dismayed at being dropped to the bench in City's Champions League semi-final return leg against Real Madrid and his side's league defining clash with Aston Villa on the final day of last season.

Interestingly, Sterling is seriously considering leaving City on a free transfer next summer, when his contract expires, as he will have more options than at present, where he has limited potential destinations should he decide to move on from the Premier League champions.

Topics: Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester City, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Chelsea, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel, Todd Boehly, Raheem Sterling

Vayam Lahoti

Freelance Multimedia Journalist, Editor - City Xtra, Host of the BLEAV in Man City Podcast, Journalism Student

@VayamLahoti