Sterling and Haaland transfers highlight Man City's change in approach

It's been quite the transfer window for Manchester City - and now Raheem Sterling has agreed personal terms ahead of completing his £45million move to Chelsea.

As revealed by Mirror Football, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel beat off interest from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain and Liverpool for Sterling, as he joins Gabriel Jesus in leaving the club. The footballing world has become used to seeing City spend big in the transfer market, but it's the first time since Sheikh Mansour's takeover in 2008 that two major stars have departed in the same window.

City have spent a combined £107m on the signings of Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez, who will all be part of Pep Guardiola's squad next season. But with the departure of Sterling to Chelsea, and now Romeo Lavia to Southampton, they've actually made a total of £7m overall as the tides are beginning to change at the Etihad.

Heading into the summer transfer window, City had a net spend of £828m over the past decade, meaning that only Manchester United had spent more across Europe - not that you'd know it. City have only just been overtaken by Newcastle as the richest club, and several FFP investigations have taken place as the club continue to spend large sums of money.

But there has been a change in approach this window, and their business has been nothing short of fantastic. Although City wanted Sterling to stay, he's been one of the forwards linked with a move away for some time, as his inclusion in Guardiola's starting line-up has fluctuated.

And Jesus was also a very respected figure, but with only eight goals last season it was time for the Brazilian to move on. City have also managed to raise a combined £24m on forgotten stars Pedro Porro, Ko Itakura and Romeo Lavia, if you weren't aware that they still played for City you certainly won't be alone.

But they've managed to reinvest those funds, and even make £5m despite bringing in the most desired striker in world football, as City won the race for Haaland. And in the grand scheme of things in today's market, signing him for an initial £51m is an absolute steal.

Haaland will be joined by Alvarez, who has been prolific for River Plate in his native Argentina, and suddenly City have gone from having no recognised no.9 to two long-term options within the space of a few months. They've also waved goodbye to club legend Fernandinho, and managed to replace him with Phillips.

Phillips is England's current Player of the Year, and the midfielder was always destined to move on from Leeds United at some point. At the age of just 26, City have themselves a fantastic holding midfielder for the foreseeable future, and it's all come at barely any cost.

Sure, the timing has all worked out for City, and it's been a very convenient summer. But a switch in approach highlights that perhaps they are looking to work smarter in the future.

City have managed to strengthen their side while not investing any raw cash, and their shrewd piece of business has not gone unnoticed. City have always been labelled as the money club, the side that may have bought their success, but with this change in approach that can no longer be applied.

The Premier League is braced for the arrival of Haaland, and with Phillips in midfield they'll be even more forceful and defensive minded. Alvarez is also one to keep an eye on, while City's departing stars will look to become the main man elsewhere in the league.

City's transfer dealings so far...

TOTAL IN £107m: Haaland (£51m), Phillips (£42m), Alvarez (£14m - fee backdates to January)

TOTAL OUT £114m: Sterling (£45m), Jesus (£45m), Porro (£7.5m), Itakura (£4.5m), Lavia (£12m)