Raheem Sterling’s boot future has been the subject of much speculation for the last nine months or so, since his contract with Nike ran out. But despite the likes of PUMA showing more than just a passing interest, it looks as though New Balance may have secured his signature in what would be a huge move for the American brand.
New Balance appear to be making some significant moves on the player front recently, and on the back of securing the signature of Bukayo Saka, it now appears increasingly likely that they have captured the huge signing of Raheem Sterling – a move that has potentially been on the cards since at least October 2020, when the Man City attacker played in the 3-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League in a pair of mystery whiteout boots that looked suspiciously like Furons.
Sterling’s contract with Nike ended at the end of last season, and the England attacker has since been seen playing in whatever he chooses as he mulls over his next move. As a result he has been the subject of much speculation regarding his future boot contract, from being close to signing a record-breaking extension with the Swoosh, to signing a £100m deal with PUMA, to a landmark and much hyped deal with the Jordan Brand, but while he has mainly been playing in minimally branded Nike boots in the last few months, it now appears that it may be New Balance that have won the race for his signature.
The report has come about after Dan Freebairn, aka @kickposters, tweeted a picture of Sterling boarding the coach at Manchester City Football Academy on the way to Budapest for City’s Champions League clash tonight. In the picture Sterling was wearing a pair of New Balance 327 sneakers with the caption 'New Deal Done?', and further fuel was added to the speculative fire when New Balance then liked the post. Move confirmed? All eyes on City’s game against Monchengladbach tonight…
Having lost Liverpool to rivals Nike at the end of last season in what was a bitter blow, New Balance haven’t rested on their laurels, with the Saka signing having been preceded by the announcement that the brand have signed a partnership with Roma, again taking over from Nike.
The capture of Raheem Sterling would be a huge bonus to the brand and a positive indicator of their direction and intent for the future. The England man is everything a brand would desire in this modern game; he's an elite player, he's politically in tune and uses his influence to make positive change, as well as the added bonus of being relevant in lifestyle circles when it comes to off-pitch fashion.
So not 100 percent confirmed, but a huge indicator that this is potentially going to happen. New Balance are on a roll.
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