Manchester City believe Raheem Sterling could prove to play a key role in them pipping Premier League rivals Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea to the signing of Jadon Sancho.
Sancho is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, with bitter rivals United confident they will win the race to land his signature.
But City believe Sancho has more reasons to choose to return to the Etihad, where he learned his trade before heading to the Bundesliga.
‘There are a number of factors in it but Raheem could be key to the whole thing next summer.’ a Man City source told The Sun.
‘There’s a worry Leroy [Sane] might go but there would be a discount on Jadon due to his contract clauses.
‘Raheem would love him back as the pair have a decent friendship. Jadon looks up to him and asks for advice.
‘There is no issues our end after he left. He has never slated the club or mentioned anything negative.’
Pep Guardiola is believed to have been tracking Sancho’s progress since his move to Germany and thinks the England international is ready to make an impact in the City first team.
With Sane heavily linked with Bayern Munich, a high-profile replacement has been suggested and Sancho, who has scored 21 goals in 59 Bundesliga matches, fits the bill.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are also thought to be in the hunt, with Dortmund accepting it’s likely he will leave at the end of the season, but City have an option to match any offer which comes in from other clubs, which will keep them at the forefront of negotiations.
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