Man City open talks with Raheem Sterling over new deal that could make him club's best-paid player

Manchester City have opened fresh contract talks with Raheem Sterling – just a year after he signed a three-year extension.

Latest negotiations began on Monday, with the Premier League champions ready to reward the England forward’s growing status as one of the best players in world football.

It’s understood both parties were eager to discuss a further extension to his deal, which runs until 2023.

Sterling has been repeatedly linked with a move to Real Madrid – and speculation over Pep Guardiola’s future raised questions over whether he would be prepared to commit himself to another contract.

But the 24-year-old has made it clear he sees his future at City, where he has been pivotal to Guardiola’s success, which has seen the club win back-to-back titles and five out of the last six available domestic trophies.

Any potential new deal is likely to make the former Liverpool star the highest paid player at City, with his previous contract believed to be worth up to £300,000-a-week.

Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward is believed to have met with City director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief operating Omar Berrada on Monday as Guardiola’s side prepared for Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Shakhtar Donetsk.