Manchester City feared losing Raheem Sterling over the summer after he ended contract extension talks and expressed unhappiness with Pep Guardiola dropping him for big games, but The Sun say the Premier League defending champions now ‘hope’ he will put pen to paper on a new deal after winning his place back in the starting lineup.
The 26-year-old has interest from Arsenal and Barcelona and was reportedly considering a loan move away in January, but it’s more likely that he’ll stay at the Etihad Stadium and will rebuff any club that tries to sign him. Sterling has made 17/20 appearances across the board this season, scoring four goals with two assists, so he’s featured heavily.
Last season saw the £81m-rated forward benched for a number of Champions League knockout games and he was an unused substitute in the Premier League at times, so he wasn’t going to sign a new deal with Man City until he had assurances about his role. Sterling’s £300k-per-week contract is up in 18 months, but City were never going to let him go without a fight.
Sterling has scored 118 goals and made 88 assists in 309 games for the Sky Blues, so he’s been a terrific servant and too useful to offload.
In other news, defender could leave Man City, PL rivals plan ‘ambitious offer’ for £25.2m-rated man
Player demands! If his training isn’t right and his form on the pitch isn’t right then he should expect to be benched.
Sounds like little Napoleon about fishing licences!