Kane, Grealish rumours cause contract talks to stall for City star

Toby Bowles
Sterling City Grealish Kane

Negotiations over a contract extension for Raheem Sterling have stalled amid reports he could be joined by Harry Kane and Jack Grealish at Manchester City.

That’s according to the Mirror, who claim Sterling is waiting to see where he fits into the new-look side before putting pen to paper.

The 26-year-old was one of the star performers at Euro 2020, contributing three goals and one assist as England reached the final.


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He has won three Premier League titles in his six seasons at the Etihad, hitting double figures for goals in each of the last four campaigns.

However, towards the end of last season, his form began to tail off, as he scored just twice in his final 12 league appearances and dropped out of the starting XI.

City have since launched blockbuster bids for two of his England teammates, Kane and Grealish, and could well pull both deals off.

Such an outcome would make Sterling’s place in the side even more precarious, with Grealish likely to be shifted out to the left – the position Sterling currently occupies.

As a result, the winger is delaying committing his future to the club until he has the full picture of Pep Guardiola‘s blueprint.

 

 

Rio Ferdinand urged people to show Sterling more “respect” after his scintillating display against Germany in the round of 16.

“Please can we start putting a bit more respect on Raheem Sterling’s name now,” he told BBC Sport.

“We said before the game, that this is an opportunity to become a national hero.

“He’s got three goals, he’s been the one in this tournament who we needed to lift us and get us over the line and get us a result. He’s the person we looked to.

“What a professional, hard worker, the courage is one of the things I love about him. He’s one of them players who has the ability to scare you.

“He’s hard to read, his trickery. At this stage of his career he’s producing the end product, he’s decisive and deciding games. I believe that this kid has been at that level [world class].”