According to a report by The Guardian, Manchester City has not made progress on contract talks with Raheem Sterling.
The 23-year-old signed a four-year deal after moving from Liverpool in the summer of 2015, and that is set to expire in the summer of 2020, meaning he will lose significant value in the transfer market should he reach the final year of his contract. With Sterling costing Man City near $74 million to sign, and the England international enjoying a leap in development under Pep Guardiola, it’s unlikely the club would accept losing him for far less than the value he was acquired for.
However, armed with 47 goals and 48 assists in 144 appearances for Manchester City, plus a strong bargaining position given the ticking clock, Sterling is reportedly asking for a wage increase to $290,000 a week, up from his current salary of $224,000 per week. According to the Guardian report, there is “some distance” between the two parties.
Sterling’s reported demands would put him still below the $330,000 Sergio Aguero makes a week as per the new deal he signed in the winter of 2017, and far below Kevin De Bruyne‘s $460,000 per week handed out this past January. With that value, Sterling would be in the range of David Silva‘s $290,000 per week.
“It’s well-known we’re delighted with him and would like him to continue,” Guardiola said on Friday before the weekend’s win over Fulham. “My club knows my opinion and we share that. After that it is the club and the agent.”
On international duty, Sterling has picked up 44 caps for England, but has failed to replicate the same goalscoring rate he owns at the club level, with just two international goals and none since October of 2015. He does own 11 assists, suggesting he plays a more creative role at the international level, while displaying more freedom under Guardiola’s watch. He has become an attacking force at Manchester City, especially in the absence of the injured de Bruyne. In a starring role this season, Sterling has three goals already in four matches.
