Chelsea and Arsenal plans help Man City set their transfer stances

23.06.2022 - 08:37 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

There are no rules around how much a footballer is worth in the transfer market.

Length of contract, age, and ability are three of the best metrics to determine a cost but there are so many other variables that come into play that it is impossible to be too scientific about it. Ultimately, a player is worth whatever the buying club are willing to pay and that decision is subsequently analysed in time to see whether the price was a bargain, daylight robbery, or somewhere in the middle that won't get as much attention.

As much for ease as anything else, comparisons are used - A must be worth B because C have just paid D for E. There's a case in point this summer at the Etihad as two Premier League clubs look to sign two City forwards who are both approaching the final year of their contracts.

Also read: Raheem Sterling closes on decision as Man City wait for Chelsea transfer bid

Arsenal are looking to sign Gabriel Jesus, while Chelsea are interested in Raheem Sterling, and it is impossible for each price tag not to take into account the other. The number floating around Jesus is £50m as Mikel Arteta looks to reshape his attack, a fee that takes into account the four-time Premier League winner is also a Brazil international and, at 25, has the best years of his career ahead of him.

Sterling is two-and-a-half years older than his teammate yet is still in prime condition. Before even considering the fact that Chelsea are looking to make a statement signing, Sterling has been more integral to City's success under Guardiola and there is an extra, unwritten tax for England internationals.

Put bluntly, if Jesus is worth £50m to Arsenal than City will feel entitled to ask for considerably more than that for Sterling. The price