As reported by The Daily Star last month, Premier League champions Manchester City were believed to be courting Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling ahead of the summer window.
The 20 year-old’s refusal to extend his contract past 2017 has put his Anfield future in jeopardy and it was resultantly claimed the Citizens – needing both home-grown talent and youth to readdress the balance in a largely foreign, ageing squad – were keen on a £50million deal.
Reports from The Metro yesterday afternoon, however, suggest Manuel Pellegrini’s side have refocused their sights and are now targeting Everton starlet Ross Barkley.
His six goals in 34 Premier League appearances last season earned comparisons with Paul Gascoigne, Wayne Rooney and Michael Ballack, amongst others, and although the midfielder has struggled to replicate that form this year, many view him as one of the top prospects in English football.
The Metro moot him as a potential replacement for Yaya Toure, but claim he’ll set the Etihad outfit back around £50million.