Sterling open to Manchester City exit for more playing time

The 26-year-old England star has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad and has started just two of their opening seven Premier League games.

Sterling

said during an interview at the

Financial Times Business of Sport US

summit

in New York:

"If there was the option to go somewhere else for more game time I would be open to it. As I said 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 and I’ve always thought, you know, maybe one day I’d love to play abroad. See how I would come up against that challenge."

Asked how he has dealt with a lack of regular minutes at Etihad Stadium in recent months, the 26-year-old added: "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 football matches regularly. Scoring goals regularly.

"From a young child, football has been the most important thing in my life. When I play football that is where I get my happiness from. And, of course, with family as well but football for me has a special place in my heart.

"With everything that comes with football, money, being able to do nice things … at the end of the day, if football for me is not at a certain standard I’m not really at my happiest. If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself."

Sterling moved to City from

in 2015 and has won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and four League Cups.

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