Manchester City are confident they can keep Raheem Sterling at the club this summer by offering the England star of Euro 2020 a new contract, according to The Athletic.
The Citizens will have a new deal ready for the winger to assess the moment he returns to the Etihad Campus. Sterling with speak with Manchester City to discuss his future with the Premier League champions after enjoying a holiday following his international duties.
Pep Guardiola’s side are keen to see the £300,000-per-week speedster commit his future to protect his value. Sterling has two years remaining on his current deal and there is not any concrete interest in his services.
Sterling representing himself rather than hiring a new agent is one aspect complicating any potential move away from Manchester City. There is no intermediary greasing the wheels, after the 26-year-old parted with Aidy Ward last season.
But his strong Euro 2020 could increase the pool of suitors after lighting up the tournament for England. Manchester City, however, hope their plan to offer him a new contract will be enough to convince Sterling to stay and lock down his peak years.
Guardiola would also like Sterling to stay and believes the forward can put his frustrations to one side and play at a high level next season. The 66-cap ace and City boss fell out in April and their relationship failed to improve before the summer break.
Sterling’s frustrations only increased when Manchester City offered him to Tottenham in part-exchange for Harry Kane, per the Mirror. He was angered by their actions and could scrap plans for a new deal, feeling it is a business decision.
Manchester City plan could block Real Madrid signing Sterling
While The Athletic note there is not any concrete interest in Sterling right now, they add that Real Madrid would not be able to afford Manchester City’s demands. The Daily Star had claimed Los Blancos are monitoring the winger after he fell out of favour last season.
It’s also understood Manchester City want £80m to consider selling Sterling, who cost £49m when signed from Liverpool in 2015. Since then, he has won three Premier League titles, while netting three goals and one assist at Euro 2020.
His European Championship form has been mightily impressive, with Jamie O’Hara telling talkSPORT: “Sterling has been the superstar for England”. And should he keep that form up, his demands for a new contract could be shooting up as well.
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