‘I would be open to it’ – Man City star fuels Barcelona transfer talk with latest comments

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has confirmed he’d be open to sealing a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium if it meant getting more playing time.

Despite being a key player during the Pep Guardiola era, Sterling has been restricted to four starts and six substitute outings in all competitions this season.

The England international has struggled to cement his place in Pep Guardiola’s plans as Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish currently occupy the starting positions in the Manchester City attack.

The lack of game time for the 26-year-old has led to speculation regarding his future with his current contract due to expire in 2023.

And it appears Barcelona are keeping tabs on his situation in view to a move in January when the transfer window reopens.

Speaking at the FT Business of Sport US Summit, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Sterling fuelled the recent Barca links by admitting he wouldn’t rule out leaving his current club, adding that he could also be interested in playing abroad.

“I’m not a person that’s going to complain. I’ve not tried to make it a bigger deal than it actually is,” Sterling said.

“I get on with my work, do what I need to do. And I’m just raring to go — playing football matches regularly, score goals regularly.”

He added: “If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself.

“If there was the opportunity to go somewhere else for more game time I would be open to it at this moment in time.

“As I said, football is the most important thing to me — challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.

“As an English player all I know is the Premier League and I’ve always thought you know maybe one day I’d love to play abroad to see how I would come up against that challenge.”