Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has hailed Raheem Sterling’s ‘exceptional’ evolution at the club and says he is ‘proud’ of the man he has become.
The City chief’s glowing endorsement of the England star comes amid claims Sterling is set to sign a huge new contract with the Premier League champions.
Last November, the 24-year-old put pen-to-paper on a £300,000-a-week deal which expires in 2023.
But Sterling is now reportedly in talks over a fresh deal which could take his salary to an eye-watering £450,000-a-week, thanks to his stunning form on the pitch and growing influence off it.
Sterling won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award last season and has been praised for his stance on racism.
And he has not let up this term, scoring 18 goals and providing 11 assists in 24 games for club and country.
Al Mubarak says he has enjoyed seeing Sterling ‘grow’ at City, and certainly did not dispel the rumours of the forward’s new contract.
“I’m very proud of what Raheem has done over the last couple of years,” he told Sky Sports.
“His evolution as a player, but more importantly as a person, I think has been exceptional.
“He has become a leader, both on and off the pitch, he’s become a leader in this squad at Manchester City, he’s becoming a leader at England serving his country, and a leader in the community.
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“I’m so happy for him, I think he’s a wonderful young man and… one thing I’m sure of, Raheem is only going to improve and only going to grow as both a player and a leader.
“So the future is very bright for Raheem and it’s a pleasure to have him as part of the team.”
