City stop Barca's efforts: Sterling will not leave in January

Xavi has arrived in force. He wants to rebuild the squad from top to bottom and has a roadmap that he has already sent to the board. It includes, among others, the name of Raheem Sterling.

The coach is looking for wingers. He is looking for versatile, polyvalent players, capable of opening up Barcelona's attacking play. He sees in Sterling one of the men capable of doing so.

But at City they don't see it so clearly. Although 'Metro' assured Thursday that they would listen to offers from 50 million euros, the truth is that Pep Guardiola's team will not sit down to talk to anyone.

City want to keep Sterling, at least until the end of the season. They refuse at the Etihad Stadium to part with him with the strongest part of the season remaining.

Sterling would be more than willing to play for Barca. He is not having the starring role he expected in Guardiola's scheme and refuses to continue warming the bench.

Sterling's contract with City runs until 2023. It remains to be seen what happens regarding his future. Xavi, meanwhile, continues to keep an eye on the Premier League for what might happen.