Manchester City Fail In Talks With Raheem Sterling Over New Contract

Raheem Sterling is heading into the World Cup with England on the back of his best season as a footballer but if he was hoping to be doing so with his future all secured then that's not the case.

A lot has changed in the last two years with Manchester City, England and perhaps most of all Raheem Sterling and where two of them are concerned it's a lot to do with Pep Guardiola.

In France two years ago England were abject at the Euros, going out in the second round to Iceland, and Raheem Sterling was one of the worst of England's players.

Sterling in that match against Wales. Image: PA Images

The City winger had to be taken off at half time of the Group game against Wales with the Three Lions trailing and with Pep Guardiola due to join City that summer his club future was in question.

24 months later and life has changed a lot. City have won the league with the most points in a Premier League season, Sterling was one of the main men in that success and England are playing decent football.

City and Sterling had been in negotiations for the former Liverpool winger to sign a new deal before the World Cup kicks off but according to Sky Sports the two parties remain 'poles apart' and talks have broken down for now.

De Bruyne celebrates with Raheem Sterling. Image: PA

Sterling's current deal runs till 2020 so there's no rush right now for the 23 year old to sign a new contract but Pep Guardiola would want the deal done in the next year before there's only one year to run on the deal.

City had been offering a contract to 2022 but the price of wages is the sticking point with the former QPR trainee believing he should be matching up with the club's top earners.

For now the Premier League champions are believed to be relaxed and expectant that Sterling will sign a new deal when he returns from Russia.

After scoring 23 goals in 46 matches for his club last season Gareth Southgate is unlikely to start without Sterling in attack.

It's been a hell of a two years for Sterling since the Euros in France, it'll be interesting to see where he is in two more years.

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, England, Transfer news, World Cup, Raheem Sterling

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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