Raheem Sterling ‘open to’ leaving Man City for ‘more game-time’ after struggling for minutes so far this season

RAHEEM STERLING is open to a move away from Manchester City if he is not given assurances of regular football.

And the England ace says playing abroad is still something that appeals to him amid interest from Barcelona and others.

SunSport revealed on Tuesday that the former Liverpool man, 26, has put contract talks on hold at the Etihad after a difficult few months.

Sterling has less than two years left on his existing deal and wants to know how much he will play before committing to a new one.

The star is happy to adapt to playing as a striker for City, rather than his normal left-wing role — but needs game time to improve in that position.

Three-time Prem title winner Sterling said: “If there was the option to go somewhere else for more game time, I would be open to it.

“Football is the most important thing to me — challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.

“As an English player, all I know is the Premier League.

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“I’ve always thought maybe one day I’d love to play abroad — see how I would come up against that challenge.

"I actually should be learning a few different languages. I quite like the French accent and Spanish."

Barca are monitoring his situation and could make a move in January, although Etihad sources indicate the club will not sanction a move mid- season.

Sterling is believed to have spoken with boss Pep Guardiola over his status at City but has generally kept his head down and focused on football.

Despite losing his place in the team, his attitude and professionalism have impressed club staff.

And he told FT Live: “I’m not a person that’s going to complain. I’ve not tried to make it a bigger deal than it actually is.

“I get on with my work, do what I need to do. And I’m just raring to go — playing matches regularly, score goals regularly.”

Sterling’s prospects of playing more at City are likely to be boosted with fellow forward Ferran Torres out for at least a month after fracturing his foot on international duty with Spain.

Guardiola is unlikely to be impressed that Torres was asked to play in the Nations League final against France despite getting injured in the last-four clash with Italy.

Yet it could work to Sterling’s advantage by giving him a run of games.

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Asked about his ambitions for the future, Sterling said: “Keeping humble, keeping that hard-working spirit, chasing the next goal.

“Making targets, trying to do better than last season, get better numbers than I did last season.

“Keeping that hunger — that’s the only way you can get better.”