Man City tipped to sign Raheem Sterling replacement after £95m update – pundit
Man City have to replace Raheem Sterling if he leaves this summer and will “be looking” towards the next “four or five years”, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted young talent will be at the top of Pep Guardiola’s list amid a “turnaround” at the Etihad Stadium.
Football Insider revealed on 25 June that Gabriel Jesus will undergo an Arsenal medical and complete a £45million move from Man City within days.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Sterling this summer – with a fee of £50million enough to get a deal over the line.
Whelan suggested that a potential £95million windfall means Man City will be “active in the market” this summer.
“They’ll be looking at how they can replace these two players with younger talent,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They’re already doing that with Fernandinho – and with Haaland coming in, he’s only 21 years of age.
“Man City have got to build for the next four to five years now in order to stay on top. We’re in that turnaround period.
“They’re capitalising on the values of players like Jesus and Sterling in order to go back out and buy players for the future.
“If they sell Sterling, then he has to be replaced. City will be active in the market to do so – it just makes sense.”
Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (22 June) that Man City have agreed personal terms with Marc Cucurella and are in advanced talks to finalise a fee with Brighton.
Sterling and Jesus scored a combined 30 goals across all competitions during the 2021-22 season.
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