JESS THE JOB FOR REDS
KEVIN de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus have both told City they want to commit their long-term futures to the club, but Pep Guardiola is set to keep the Blues waiting.
Negotiations have already begun to reward two of City’s star performers - with De Bruyne expected to become the club’s highest earner on in excess of £200,000-a-week.
Chief executive Ferran Soriano is determined to kill any talk of Barcelona or Real Madrid swooping for the brilliant Belgian by offering him the type of contract that will put him among the highest paid players in world football.
Jesus will also get an improved deal - just 12 months after signing from Palmeiras.
City believe the Brazilian could be worth more than three times the £27m they paid for him last January and are keen to reward him for his outstanding start to life at the Etihad.
City will also look to secure a new deal for Raheem Sterling in the coming months, while Fernandinho is close to extending his deal, which expires in the summer.
“All the young players we have, they would like to stay with us for a long time,” said Guardiola. “There’s no doubt that Gabriel and Kevin would like a contract to stay here. They want to build up something.
“Dinho (Fernandinho) is close. So close.”
Guardiola, however, says he will only sign an extension if he believes he deserves it.
City’s hierarchy are determined to speed up talks over an extension and secure their manager’s longterm future, following their outstanding form this season, and hope to see him make the Blues his longest job in management.
“I am so happy here,” he said. “I am so so happy. If you want to extend the contract at big clubs you have to win, and if you don’t win, you don’t deserve to continue. That’s why I want to win. It depends on if we win and if I deserve to extend my contract.”