Pep Guardiola insist that he wants Raheem Sterling to stay despite his contract stand off with Manchester City.
Sterling was a revelation last season for the Citizens. The 23-year-old England international scored 18 goals in 33 appearances and assisted 11 more for his team-mates.
His performances last season could be the reason why Sterling is demanding that his wages are brought up to the same level as some of the top earners at the club for the remainder of his two-year contract.
Despite Sterling’s impasse with City’s owners, Guardiola has made it clear that he intends on keeping the player and insisted that the acquisition of Riyad Mahrez will not impact on his role in the team.
“No. He can play left, right and down the middle. So it [the arrival of Mahrez] is not an influence,” Guardiola told the Mail.
“There is no doubt we want him. He knows that, his agent knows that. Txiki [Begiristain] spoke with him.
“We made it clear from the day I arrived we want him, but deals are deals, agents are agents and players are players.
“So at the end, I don’t know what is going to happen but I assure you 100 per cent that the manager, sporting director and all the players want him at the club.”
Sterling helped Man City win the Premier League title last season in record breaking fashion, however, even though he played in an England side that reached the semi-final of the World Cup this summer, his performances in Russia were less than remarkable and could be what’s stalling his demand for higher wages.
Manchester City open their Premier League campaign against Arsenal next Sunday at the Emirates.
The post Raheem Sterling’s Man City future uncertain despite club making feelings known – Pep Guardiola appeared first on Squawka News.
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