Manchester City are more confident than ever of keeping Raheem Sterling at the Etihad and are unconcerned by Manchester United’s interest in the player.
Reports emerged on Monday that United were monitoring the England international’s future at the club, particularly in view of City’s two-year ban in the UEFA Champions League.
While a deal is considered unlikely, it’s claimed United would make a move should Sterling become available, City have appealed their ban but there is no doubt that two years outside of the competition would leave them more susceptible to losing their most important players.
However, City are completely unconcerned by United’s interest in their player and have no intention of allowing the winger to leave, nevermind to a Premier League rival, according to metro.co.uk.
Sterling’s current contract runs until 2023 but it was revealed in December that City were already in discussions with the midfielder’s representatives over signing an extension.
The 25-year-old winger is already one of the top earners at the club but Man City were prepared to make him the highest paid player in the history of the club on a weekly salary of around £380,000-a-week before bonuses.
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It’s unclear how the coronavirus pandemic has affected talks or whether Man City would still be willing to stretch that far.
However, the club remain intent on keeping him and are confident than ever that he will stay for his peak years at the Etihad.
Manchester City value Raheem Sterling at around £200m and believe his commercial value ranks alongside players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
The club therefore doubt there’s a team in the world that could afford his fee and salary, particularly given the huge financial effect the pandemic has on club finances.
