Raheem Sterling is the headline mover in what is turning into to be a big transfer window for Manchester City.
And he leaves with a parting shot of sorts after insisting he is going to Chelsea in order to fulfil his ambition of winning the Champions League. Sterling, who is set to become Chelsea’s highest-paid player on a £45million deal worth in excess of £300,000 a week, goes with City’s best wishes.
But it is not hard to imagine that turning sour if he has a hand in denying them in their own pursuit of ‘the big cup’. On the plus side Sterling’s sale means City are net gainers from the summer so far with Erling Haaland (£51m) and Kalvin Phillips (£42m) offset by sales of Gavin Bazunu (£12m), Gabriel Jesus (£45m) and Romeo Lavia (£10m). The money will not burn a hole in pockets for long though with a left back surely set to arrive in the next few days.
Here Mirror Sport brings you the best of the City news on the web…
CITY REIGNITE CUCURELLA DEAL
City have made no secret of the fact they are still in the market for one more piece of incoming business with the long-running saga over Marc Cucurella ongoing.
And with Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to leave the Premier League champions, the Brighton and Spain left back remains at the top of their list. Talks between the parties have not moved forward much and there is still no agreement between the two clubs over a potential transfer.
But according to Italian broadcaster Sportitalia, Manchester City are set to accelerate their pursuit of the Spanish full-back. Brighton want upwards of £45million for the Spaniard following an impressive season and he still has four years left on his contract.
But City are believed to be ready to meet that price in an overall package given the way their summer business has put them in such a commanding financial position.
BLUES BACK FOR AKE
Chelsea may not have finished business with City this summer with Nathan Ake still very much in their sights.
The Evening Standard reports that the Blues are after defensive cover with Dutch pair Matthijs de Ligt and Ake on the radar. Bayern Munich believe they can beat Chelsea to the signing of the first named who is looking for an out from Barcelona but if they do then Ake will be No 1 priority.
Chelsea are considering throwing a Champions League lifeline to Cristiano Ronaldo but it is at the back they need to strengthen. Thomas Tuchel has seen Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leave on free transfers and want to act swiftly on one of or both of the Dutch defenders.
CITY LOVING LAVIA DEAL
One of those sales, Romeo Lavia to Southampton, looks a particularly shrewd piece of business from the Premier League Champions.
The highly-rated midfielder is one of a handful of academy talents to leave City but could feasibly be back at the Etihad in the future owing to the small print. The Belgian was confirmed as a Southampton player after the Saints parted with £10.5m which will allow him to develop in the Premier League.
But should he turn into a superstar as all parties hope, City have not only a 20 per cent sell on fee but the right to match any bid accepted from another club.
ALVAREZ TOUCHES DOWN IN MANCHESTER
City’s January capture Julian Alvarez is set to join up with his new teammates this week after finishing his River Plate career on Wednesday night.
The striker was signed for £14m in January but loaned back to the Argentinian club for the remainder of the season. And while his final game brought defeat in the Copa Liberatores, Alvarez is set to join the Premier League Champions for the next week’s pre-season tour to United States.
