Pep Guardiola would welcome Raheem Sterling penning a new contract at Manchester City and knows the winger s form could attract the attention of rival clubs.
Sterling joined City from Liverpool for £49million in July 2015 and has flourished under Guardiola s leadership this season, scoring 20 goals in all competitions for the runaway Premier League leaders.
The 23-year-old has often grasped for his best form on the international stage but turned in a superb display during England s 1-1 draw against Italy in midweek.
Sterling has two years left to run on his current deal but is reportedly keen for talks over fresh terms to commence, with team-mates Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi having all been rewarded with renewals this term.
Speaking ahead of Saturday s trip to Everton, Guardiola maintained the matter was one for director of football Txiki Begiristain but underlined Sterling s importance to the City cause.
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7)
In terms of contracts I am not the guy. Txiki is talking about that, he said
No doubt, it is so important [City keep Sterling]. But the deals are the deals. The agents, circumstances, maybe other clubs are interested in him.
So anything can happen but he knows how important he is for us.
Sterling s international team-mate John Stones will miss out on his latest return to Everton after suffering concussion against the Azzurri but another City player to have enjoyed a more profitable time away with his country is Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazil striker scored the only goal as Tite s side beat world champions Germany 1-0 in Berlin and he is likely to start at Goodison Park with Sergio Aguero s ongoing knee complaint making City s top scorer a major doubt.
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun)
It was so important for him, Guardiola said. He was a long time injured and a striker needs goals.
With the problems we have right now with Sergio (knee injury), Gabriel s confidence is so important.
Guardiola was on the end of a chastening 4-0 hammering at Everton last season and he insists Sam Allardyce s men will not be overlooked ahead of a Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool to be played out either side of a potentially title-clinching derby showdown with Manchester United.
It s not already done and to prepare the next games in the Premier League and the Champions League is to be ready immediately, he added.
Believe me, I have prepared Everton like it is the most important game we have to play. My decisions are to win at Everton, not, oh, these guys aren t going to play , thinking about Liverpool.
That would be a big mistake from my side.
