Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez are on Manchester City’s FOR-SALE list this summer with Premier League champions planning to refine their squad – and Arsenal interested in …
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Raheem Sterling heads a list of players Manchester City are prepared to offload this summer as Pep Guardiola plots a fresh era of dominance.
The Premier League champions are planning to refine their squad during the transfer window regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s Champions League final in Porto.
Sterling lost his place in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up towards the end of last season and Sportsmail understands City would be willing to listen to offers for the 26-year-old.
He is not the only man who could leave in the coming months with Riyad Mahrez also among those who could be sacrificed.
Mahrez has been superb in recent weeks, particularly in the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, but City would consider moving him if the deal was right. Others in the squad who are vulnerable are striker Gabriel Jesus and centre back Aymeric Laporte.
Arsenal are understood to have an interest in Sterling and Mahrez. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta worked with both during his spell at City under Guardiola. But there must be doubt over Arsenal’s ability to land either player given their financial demands and lack of European football.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have long-term interest in Sterling. City will need funds to complete their own signings, with Sportsmail revealing yesterday that £100million-rated Jack Grealish is their No 1 midifield target.
They are also on the trail of England captain Harry Kane.
There is recognition that City must trim their group to pursue Kane and Grealish but it will still come as a surprise that Sterling has a price.
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