Raheem Sterling becomes first Manchester City star to commit his future to the club despite interest from Real Madrid after their shock two-year Champions League ban
- Manchester City are launching a legal battle to overturn UEFA’s ruling
- The news sparked speculation that a number of the club’s stars could depart
- Raheem Sterling’s representative has confirmed he remains focused on the club
- Aidy Ward’s comments will come as a big boost to Pep Guardiola and City
Raheem Sterling has become the first Manchester City star to commit his future to the club following their shock European ban.
The Etihad Stadium club are launching a legal battle to overturn the UEFA ruling that leaves them being suspended from the Champions League for two years.
The development has sparked speculation regarding a host of the club’s top players, who are being tipped to leave the due to their pending European exile.
Raheem Sterling has become the first Manchester City star to commit his future to the club
City’s European ban sparked rumours that stars like Kevin de Bruyne and Sterling could leave
Indeed, Real Madrid – who are known admirers of Sterling – are already being linked with a mega money move for the England star this summer.
However, Sterling does not want the current uncertainty over City’s European future to derail his focus going into the business end of the season.
The attacker will not be distracted by any talk of an exit this summer and is purely concentrated on trying to secure City’s first ever Champions League title and complete a domestic cup double.
Colossal Sports Management CEO and founder Aidy Ward, who has represented Sterling since he was at school, told Sportsmail on Sunday night: ‘Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment.’
But the England international’s representative has confirmed he remains focused on the club
Sterling has been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid since news of the ban
The news will come as a huge boost to City and manager Pep Guardiola, who knows he will need Sterling fully committed to the club if they are to stand any chance of lifting the Champions League this season.
Nevertheless, Europe’s elite clubs are already circling and City – who have been keen to tie down Sterling to a new deal – are fully aware they face a fight to keep their top stars if they are banned from the Champions League for two seasons after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
City believe they can overturn the ruling and are preparing to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport – who earlier this season reduced Chelsea’s transfer ban on appeal from two windows to one.
Aidy Ward’s comments will come as a huge relief and lift to City and manager Pep Guardiola
