Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has once again reiterated his desire for Raheem Sterling to sign a new contract at the Etihad.
The 23-year-old England international’s current £175,000-a-week deal runs until 2020, but negotiations over an extension have hit a standstill.
Sterling had his best ever season last time out, scoring 18 goals and providing 11 assists, as Man City romped to the Premier League title in record-breaking fashion.
Guardiola has been talking to the press ahead of his sides Community Shield fixture against Chelsea at Wembley today, and the former Barcelona coach could not have made it much clearer on how much he wants Sterling to remain a part of his squad.
“There’s no doubt we want him,” he said in quotes carried by Sky Sports.
“He knows, his agent knows. We want him. Txiki (Begiristain, City’s director of football) spoke with him so.
“It’s clear since the first day I arrived we want him, but the deals are the deals, and the agents are the agents, and the players are the players.
“So, at the end I don’t know what is going to happen, but I assure you 100 per cent that the club, myself like a manager, sport director, even his team-mates, we want him to stay longer here.”
City begin their Premier League title defence away to Arsenal on August 12.