That’s according to The Telegraph, who says a cluster of Premier League teams believe the winger will be sold by Manchester City in future.
Sterling has racked up 97 appearances, scoring 23 goals, since arriving at the Etihad from Liverpool in a deal worth £49m two years ago.
And he had been tipped to play a starring role under Pep Guardiola after experiencing an upturn in form after the Spaniard took charge of City last summer.
Doubt was cast over Sterling’s future in the latter stages of the recent transfer window when rumours of him going to Arsenal in part-exchange for Alexis Sanchez were aired.
City denied the England international was available though and Txiki Begiristain apparently reinforced the message that he’s a key part of their plans to him personally.
However, The Telegraph have revealed a number of top flight teams and managers think Sterling is likely to be sold when Guardiola finishes shaping his squad.
The newspaper reckon Chelsea and Arsenal are the only sides the 22-year-old could join if he was to be made available by City in the next 12 months.
The Telegraph suggest City would not be willing to let Sterling join rivals Manchester United, while a return to Liverpool, who he left acrimoniously, would not be on the cards.
Tottenham, who’ve emerged as serious title challengers over the past couple of years, would not be in the running for his signature either because of his prospective transfer fee or wages.
Where Sterling will play his football in seasons to come could depend on whether Guardiola manages to snare Arsenal contract rebel Sanchez in 2018.
The Chilean is poised to leave the Emirates after refusing to put pen to paper on a new deal and Guardiola is keen to secure a reunion with him in Manchester.
