CBS football journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign Raheem Sterling this summer.
Sterling has fallen down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order over the last two seasons but the forward still boasts of an impressive return, with 16 goals and seven assists across all competitions this campaign (Transfermarkt).
With City completing the signing of Erling Haaland, that perhaps places an even bigger question mark on Sterling’s chances of getting regular game time at the Etihad next season.
The 27-year-old was linked with a move to North London last summer, with The Sun claiming at the time that City were willing to include the England international as part of a deal to sign Harry Kane.
Jacobs has now claimed that Spurs have communicated to Sterling’s entourage that they want him this summer, and added that the former Liverpool star is keener to play under Antonio Conte than Mikel Arteta.
The journalist said on The Gooner Talk YouTube channel: “From what I gather, should he leave Manchester City, Tottenham are ahead of Arsenal in that particular pursuit. So if Sterling is to join Arsenal then Edu and Arteta are going to have to move quite quickly.
“I think Sterling is very intent, even though he knows Arteta very well, to play under Conte as his next manager if he is to make a move. The reason for that is that Tottenham have given him guarantees about style and about position.
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“Tottenham’s pitch [to him] is ‘let’s get you back to doing what you do best, which is scoring goals’. Arsenal’s pitch is going to be ‘let’s get you back to what you did at the beginning of your career’ which is being a very fluid, very versatile wide player who cuts inside.
“So actually I think this is about development and what direction he’s going to head. I don’t think Arteta and Arsenal are prepared to tell Sterling he would join the football club and be relied upon as the main source of goals.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Jacobs is not a very trustworthy source regarding Tottenham transfer news. None of the journalists with connections inside Spurs have indicated that Sterling is a target for us this summer.
However, I would certainly take the Man City star as I believe he would be a very good fit for Conte’s system. While he can be wasteful in front of goal, his runs off the ball will help us create plenty of chances.
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