MANCHESTER CITY are targeting a new contract for Raheem Sterling, after seeing boss Pep Guardiola commit his future this week.
The Etihad club see their manager’s renewal as a huge statement of intent and are now set upon strengthening their squad.
City are hoping to seal a new contract for their No7Credit: Getty Images – Getty
But before any superstar additions, club chiefs want to secure the futures of their star players.
Sealing a deal with Raheem Sterling is a top priority at Eastlands.
The England star, 25, has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current £300,000-a-week contract, signed in 2018.
City are expected to offer him another pay rise, although Sterling has expressed an interest in playing abroad and may resist.
The 58-cap Three Lions star has made 256 appearances for City since joining from Liverpool in 2015, scoring 106 times.
Guardiola’s side are also eager to tie down Kevin De Bruyne to a £350,000-a-week deal, with his current contract expiring in 2023 – in order to field the star alongside Lionel Messi.
City are set to begin negotiations with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner in January, with his contract set to expire next summer.
And according to the Mirror, some within the club’s structure believe that striking a deal is ‘close to a formality’.
Pep Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension this weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Kevin De Bruyne is also in line for a new dealCredit: EPA
Messi, 33, declared war on Barcelona chiefs in the summer, when he expressed his desire to leave the club.
He eventually decided to stay, when it became apparent that he would have to take his boyhood club to court in order to force his way out.
But City believe that they can seal the deal ahead of next season – despite Ronald Koeman insisting that Barca can keep their No10.
City believe that they can sign Lionel Messi next summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
