Sterling still waiting to learn if City plan to extend contract

Raheem Sterling has yet to be told by Manchester City when negotiations on a new deal for him will begin, during a season in which the England international has made himself one of the Premier League’s leading goalscorers.

The 23-year-old will have two years left to run on his current contract come the summer and is not certain yet whether the club see a long-term future for him with Pep Guardiola’s team or whether he could yet be dispensable. Sterling has scored 20 goals for City in all competitions and is on course to win the first major trophies of his career but he also has a significant value should City wish to sell.

Sterling was suggested as a potential part of the deal in the failed attempt to move Alexis Sanchez from City to Arsenal last summer, although City always denied that it was an idea which they had entertained. Sterling stayed and is the Premier League’s fourth-highest goalscorer with 15 goals.

City, who look certain to be league champions, have moved to sign up a number of their leading players to new deals recently, including Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Fernandinho.

The club have indicated that they will speak to Sterling and his representatives about his future, although it will be according to their timetable. The player missed the FA Cup defeat by Wigan Athletic on Monday and is expected to be back in the side for Sundays’ Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

Meanwhile, West Ham defender Reece Oxford, 19, currently on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, is a target for Atletico Madrid.