Barcelona close to striking deal for Manchester City star?

Barcelona are making progress towards a potential loan deal for Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, Mundo Deportivo claims.

The England international has made just three Premier League starts this term, and he recently said that he may have to leave the club.

The Blaugrana were keen on landing his services in the summer transfer window, but the Cityzens were reluctant to sanction a loan deal.

They are prepared to try again at the turn of the year, and there are suggestions that the Cityzens won't block an exit this time.

Sterling will enter the final 18 months of his deal in January. He is reportedly desperate to make the move to the Catalan giants.

The club can't afford a permanent transfer due to La Liga's imposed salary cap that has limited their spending power for the season.

However, they are prepared to sign the former Liverpool graduate with an obligation to buy at the end of the ongoing campaign.