Reports | Xavi wants Raheem Sterling at Barcelona

The Barcelona legend, who currently manages Qatar based club Al-Sadd, has been tipped to take the manager’s role at Barcelona when the right time arrives. Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on Ernesto Valverde as the La Liga champions continue to stumble in La Liga. Their sluggish start has raised a lot of questions over Valverde’s methods and future.

English news outlet the Daily Mail claim that Xavi is keen to coach Sterling at some point of time in the future. The Spaniard recently said that Raheem Sterling could become the best player in the world once the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is over. Officials at Barcelona have always admired Sterling’s talent but haven’t taken aggressive steps to lure him away from Manchester City.

Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid are also interested in the English forward, with Real Madrid’s managing director Jose Angel Sanchez has even invited Sterling’s agent to discuss the prospect of him joining Los Blancos during the summer. However, Sterling would cost upwards of £150million making him the costliest English player in the process. 

The former Liverpool star has operated as a striker as well as on both the flanks throughout his career, this versatility and fluidity make him unique and rare. Reports suggest that Sterling is happy at the Etihad stadium, is willing to talk over fresh terms of the contract and has no plans of leaving the club any time soon.