Manchester City have declared the desire to tie playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and winger Raheem Sterling to a new long term deal. The Citizens want to make a statement amid their UEFA ban.

They were banned from participating in any UEFA club competitions for two year. The ban was as a result of breach of financial regulation according to UEFA. The club have stated their innocence and they have submitted their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The date for the hearing has not been announced. The club’s legal battle with UEFA will have an impact on the way they will do their transfer business in the summer.

Since the ban was announced, several City stars have been linked with exit from the club. Raheem Sterling has been linked with Real Madrid while De Bruyne has been linked with Barcelona and Juventus. Pep Guardiola has also been linked with both Juventus and Psg. But the Spaniard has declared he will see out his contract with the club.

The club sees getting De Bruyne and Sterling to commit their future to the club amid the off-pitch instability as crucial.

Sterling’s contract is reportedly worth up to £300,000 a week with bonuses, while De Bruyne earns £280,000 a week. Both would receive a salary increase if they sign a new deal as a reward for their commitment.

The Citizens have also identified Spurs captain Harry Kane as a potential summer target. The club sees the England captain as the direct replacement for Sergio Aguero. The Argentine will have a year left on his contract at the end of the season. The club have started to negotiate a new deal for KDB and Sterling but no deal has been discussed with Aguero, and it seems his time with the club is coming to a natural end.