Raheem Sterling is causing Man City ‘£40m’ transfer dilemma after source’s reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted Raheem Sterling’s contract stance at Manchester City has given Pep Guardiola a transfer dilemma ahead of the summer window.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds striker insisted City will not want to lose the 27-year-old but will have to consider selling and replacing him if he is not willing to commit to a new deal.
As revealed by Football Insider (20 April), Sterling is prepared to run down his contract and become a free agent next summer.
Whelan insisted City would prefer to cash in and replace Sterling with a new attacker.
However, he suggested keeping the England international on board could prove to be a better decision.
“It’s one of these where Raheem Sterling has been on the bench a lot this season and last season. There might be something in the pipeline at the end of the season.
“They certainly won’t want to lose him, but they will want to replace him. I think they’ll accept it, let him go, get the money in and replace him.
“However, If they went out and bought another Raheem Sterling, it might cost more than £40million.
“It might be in their best interests to keep him for a year as well. I don’t think either will be unprofessional. He’s been there too long and will want to serve the club to the best of his ability.
“If that means staying another year of playing in the Premier League, challenging for honours, he’ll do that. He’ll do it in a professional manner.
“He won’t be somebody that you don’t want to have around the ground. I think they’ll respect his decision and they can’t really afford not to use him.”
In other news, Manchester City could be on verge of signing new Sergio Aguero.