Report: Sterling doesn't want to join Tottenham as part of Kane deal

Raheem Sterling doesn't want to be used as a makeweight in a deal that could take Harry Kane to Manchester City, sources told ESPN's Rob Dawson.

City reportedly prepared an offer of at least £100 million for Kane on Monday and are willing to let Tottenham Hotspur receive some players as part of the transaction. Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, and Aymeric Laporte are the City stars who could be included in the move, according to Dawson.

However, if Sterling has to leave City over the summer, he would rather the switch came on his own terms rather than as part of another deal.

The 26-year-old struggled for minutes over the second half of last season due to a loss of form and impressive performances from Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez on either side of the attack. Sterling has two years left on his contract at Manchester City and was widely deemed the most improved player in Pep Guardiola's squad before his dip in fortunes.

Sterling is the only player to have scored during England's European Championship campaign following his match-winning efforts in the Three Lions' opening bout with Croatia and their group finale against the Czech Republic. He also played the full 90 minutes of England's 0-0 draw against Scotland last Friday.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are having difficulty finding a successor for Jose Mourinho after the club sacked the Portuguese manager in April. Ryan Mason took charge on an interim basis for the rest of the 2020-21 campaign. Spurs have failed to land a full-time appointment after linking with the likes of Antonio Conte, Hansi Flick, ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino, Erik ten Hag, Brendan Rodgers, Julian Nagelsmann, Paulo Fonseca, and Gennaro Gattuso.