Manchester City lead the race to sign Liverpool star Raheem Sterling and had a delegation at Anfield on Monday to cast an eye over the 20-year-old as he shone against Newcastle, BBC Sport’s Ben Smith reports.
Sterling’s future has been discussed intensely since his much publicised, and unauthorised, interview with the BBC where he confirmed that a contract worth £100,000 was rejected and gave no indication that he sees his long-term future at Liverpool.
Constant stories regarding his off-field behaviour has recently arisen (via Daily Mail), but his future on the pitch is of continued speculation and it seems as though champions Man City have stolen a march on their rivals, according to the report.
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The reliable journalist claims that Man City, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich remain the most interested but with his image as a professional currently damaged, the Gunners are having reservations about making a move for Sterling.
As for a move overseas, the report indicates that European superpowers are reluctant to pay the fee required to prize Sterling away from Liverpool.