‘Non-starter’: Pundit thinks £57m star will turn down Tottenham move

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Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling wouldn’t even consider joining Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur as part of the Harry Kane deal, Trevor Sinclair has told talkSPORT (23 June, 11am).

Say what you like about one of the most divisive footballers to pull on the England shirt in recent years but Sterling has certainly stepped up to the plate at Euro 2020.

While Gareth Southgate’s England have plodded through the group stage while never getting out of second gear, the three-time Premier League winner has made his presence felt at an international tournament at last.

Better late than never, of course.

Sterling scored the winner against Croatia and repeated the feat in last night’s 1-0 triumph over the Czech Republic.

Suddenly, all those who questioned Southgate’s decision to start a player who had struggled for form in the second half of last season have gone quiet.

But while Sterling is enjoying arguably the best form of his international career, his future at club level remains shrouded in uncertainty.

The former Liverpool youngster lost his place in Pep Guardiola’s side in recent months and, according to the Telegraph, Sterling could now be used as a makeweight in a deal that would see Tottenham talisman Harry Kane arrive at the Etihad.

Could Raheem Sterling head for Tottenham?

Sinclair, however, isn’t expecting Sterling to play ball, insisting the 2019 FWA Footballer Of The Year can afford to aim higher than a club who, with just weeks until pre-season gets under way, still don’t have a manager in place and may be about to lose their most influential player.

“I don’t think with the talent Sterling has got and what he’s achieved in his career as a 26-year-old player, becoming one of the best wingers in the league, he’d want to go to Spurs,” says the former Man City hero.

“I think that’s a non-starter. That’s not being disrespectful to Spurs. They haven’t got a manager, they’re struggling. Look at the uncertainty at the club.

“I don’t think that’s a club Sterling will even entertain. There’s a chance he could leave – but there’s no chance it will be Spurs.”

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League champions are also willing to offer Gabriel Jesus and Aymeric Laporte in exchange for Kane – much to the frustration of some City supporters.