Man City can 'cope without' £300k-a-week star at the Etihad

Manchester City have no problem with selling Raheem Sterling to Chelsea this summer, says transfer insider Dean Jones.

The two sides are top six rivals, but that does not look like it will stop the 27-year-old from moving to Stamford Bridge with a deal now agreed.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Sterling, who is set to become the team’s highest earner.

The winger is into the final 12 months of his £300,000-a-week contract at the Etihad, and it now appears that he will move on to pastures new rather than sign a fresh deal at his current club.

Last season, Sterling scored 13 goals in 30 league appearances for City, showing his value to Pep Guardiola’s side.

In the 2022/23 campaign, however, it looks like the Citizens will be without that, though they will still have a lot of firepower, especially after the acquisition of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

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Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that City do not view Sterling moving to Chelsea as an issue.

Speaking about the matter, the journalist said to GMS: “Man City don’t see it as a problem. They feel that they can cope without this.

“They know he’s not going to be signing a new contract with them and, with that in mind, they’ll probably take this as his optimum value right now and look to get a deal that’s best for the club.”

It depends. If Haaland settles in quickly, then Sterling’s goals will easily be replaced. If not and the Norway international does need time to adapt, then perhaps the England international’s absence could start to be felt.

On Sterling’s potential move to Chelsea, former Arsenal player Paul Merson recently said in his Sky Sports column: “I think