STERLING’S STAND-OFF SOUNDS THE CITY ALARM
PEP GUARDIOLA insists Manchester City are desperate to keep Raheem Sterling despite the current contract stand-off.
The England star enters the final two years of his deal this summer and has seen City move for Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez in January as they consider making a fresh bid.
Sterling has enjoyed the best season of his career in the Blues’ title success but they appear to be in no rush despite signing Kevin De Bruyne and other stars to new deals.
But Etihad boss Guardiola said: “The club, the chairman and myself want him to stay a
long time.” Sergio Aguero’s future has also been uncertain and now Atletico Madrid are keeping tabs on the Argentina striker.
Aguero, who turns 30 next month, has been linked with a move away before and appeared to be on his way out with Guardiola admitting he cannot be certain he’ll stay.
“I think it’s not going to happen,” said Guardiola. “My desire is it will not happen, but I don’t know.
“It’s happened many times in these press conferences and I said maybe a thousand times that Sergio is going to stay until he decides ‘My time here is over.’
“I said it last season and this season many times, and I say it today. That’s why I say it isn’t going to happen, but in football you never know.”