Pundit cannot see Man City selling player to ‘domestic rivals’ Tottenham

Trevor Sinclair has claimed he cannot see Manchester City selling Raheem Sterling to Tottenham Hotspur as Pep Guardiola’s men will see Spurs as a direct rival for next season.

There is uncertainty over Sterling’s future at City, with the forward falling down Guardiola’s pecking order over the last year and a half, and having just 12 months left to run on his contract at the Etihad (Transfermarkt).

CBS football journalist Ben Jacobs said in an interview on The Gooner Talk YouTube channel last month that Spurs were in the race for the England international’s signature. 

However, The Athletic subsequently claimed that Spurs are not in the running to sign the 27-year-old while The Telegraph suggested that the winger would not consider joining the Lilywhites or their North London rivals Arsenal.

Over recent weeks, Chelsea have emerged as one of the leading contenders for the City star’s signature (Evening Standard) but Sinclair believes that the reigning Premier League champions will not allow Sterling to go to Chelsea or Spurs.

The former City star told talkSPORT regarding Sterling: “I can’t see him going to a domestic rival now. Are Chelsea, are Tottenham domestic rivals? Yeah, they are. 

“Chelsea will always be because of the finances and the model there. Tottenham I think with the manager in place are going to be a rival. 

“He’ll have to go to a Champions League rival, which is Bayern Munich, Real Madrid. All the top teams will be interested in him.

“I don’t want to see it (him leaving). I don’t think he’s valued enough off Pep if I’m being honest. He’s got something that you can’t coach – he’s got ridiculous pace.

“I think he’s proved time and time again that his character is sound. He’s a family man, he’s a role model and for me, he’s a world-class player.

“But for whatever reason, Pep doesn’t hold him in that high regard, where potentially he’ll let him go. He does miss chances, all top players miss chances, but he just gets back on the horse and goes again.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I do not think there is any chance of Spurs being in for Sterling. Not only would his salary demands be an issue but he is also at his most effective when playing off the left – a position which Son occupies at Spurs. I expect the 27-year-old to end up at Chelsea this summer.

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