Kevin De Bruyne’s comments on Raheem sterling Alerts Man United on a surprise transfer swoop

Kevin De Bruyne’s comments on Raheem sterling Alerts Man United on a surprise transfer swoop

Raheem Sterling may be a last-minute transfer deadline day addition for Manchester United, and Kevin De Bruyne has already discussed the value his former comrade would bring to any organization.

The Chelsea player was informed by his new manager, Enzo Maresca, that he is not part of Manchester United’s plans for the 2024–2025 Premier League season, and as a result, the team is reportedly considering a transfer for him.

Prior to the season, Sterling had his number seven shirt taken away from him. He has been working separately from the first team and has been informed that he is free to depart West London this summer.

Speaking at a press conference during pre-season, Maresca said: “I’m not saying Raheem is not a good player but I prefer a different kind of winger.”

Sterling hasn’t even made the bench for Chelsea’s first two fixtures of the campaign, with new signings like Pedro Neto and Joao Felix – as well as established players like Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku – getting the nod ahead of him.

And with his future at Stamford Bridge heavily in question, Erik ten Hag could bring him back to Manchester – albeit in a red shirt rather than a blue one – as transfer deadline day progresses.

One deal which has reportedly been considered is a swap deal between Sterling and Red Devils star Jadon Sancho – who has also fell out of favour by Ten Hag, left out of Manchester United’s opening Premier League fixtures with Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion.

Sterling’s former teammate, De Bruyne, has previously opened up on his relationship with the England international – citing how he at-first thought he was going to struggle to get along with him. Writing for The Players’ Tribune, De Bruyne said: “I am a brutally honest person.

“So I will let you in on a little secret. Before I came to Manchester City, I didn’t really know what to make of this Raheem Sterling guy. I had never met him, and from what I’d read about him in the English press, I thought he was going to be a very different character. I thought. . .well. . .I didn’t think he’d be a bad guy, really.

“But the tabloids were always claiming that he was arrogant. So I guess I thought he’d be … what do the English call it? Then I got to City and I actually met Raheem, and we’d talk a bit after training, and I thought, ‘wait, this guy seems really cool? What’s the story here?’

“Truthfully, I don’t have many close friends — inside or outside of football. It takes me a really long time to open up to people. But over time, I got closer to Raheem, because our sons were born around the same time, so they would always play together. I really got to know Raheem, and I recognised what a smart and genuine person he is.

“He couldn’t be more different from what the tabloids were saying. This is the real truth: Raheem is one of the nicest, most humble guys I’ve met in football.”