Barcelona 'weighing up shock summer move for Raheem Sterling'

Barcelona are reportedly considering a shock summer move for Raheem Sterling as they look to build for a new era.

Sterling endured a mixed season after falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola and finding himself in and out of the Manchester City team.

Barca have now sensed an opportunity and believe they will be able to raise the funds for at least one big summer signing, of which Sterling is now a leading candidate, according to Spanish publication Sport.

Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo also carry the same reports, with Wednesday's back page showing a large image of the winger along with the headline 'Alternativa Sterling.'

Sterling is seen as an ideal alternative for Ousmane Dembele, whose contract at the club is running down and his future remains up in the air.

Cash-strapped Barca are said to be willing to include players in any potential deal, in order to get the formalities over the line.

Sterling, 26, has a contract with City until 2023 but in the final stretch of the season, he found himself out of favour with Guardiola and would likely listen to offers in the coming weeks.

The England international has scored 114 goals and set up 87 in 292 games for City so far, and recently started in the Porto Champions League final as the club lost out to Premier League rivals Chelsea.

It has not been a successful transfer window so far for Barca however, who this week missed out on the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Dutchman was poised to join the club at the end of the month, when his Liverpool contract expires, but a late hijack from Paris Saint Germain has scuppered the move.

Barca had agreements in place with Wijnaldum's camp, and were understood to be only offering the 30-year-old the contract length he wanted on the conditions that he took a pay cut.

Now, Wijnaldum has accepted the last minute terms of French giants PSG, who are reported to have placed a three-year contract on the table worth £165,000-per-week after tax.