Guardiola keen to resolve Sterling's Man City future

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2018 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

(Reuters) - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants Raheem Sterling to commit his long-term future to the club after the English striker played an influential role in their Premier League win over Arsenal.

The 23-year-old, who has two years left on his contract, scored his 50th league goal on Sunday as the defending champions started their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 away win.

"We are delighted with him and would like Raheem to stay," Guardiola told reporters. "We'll do our effort to make him feel we count on him. And we do count on him."

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2018 Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan in action with Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

British media reported that Sterling's agents are seeking a new contract in the region of 300,000 pounds ($382,530) a week, which would make him one of the club's highest paid players.

Although Guardiola is not part of the negotiations, he said the club have already proved how much they want the player to stay.

"In the end the agents may not have agreements and that may not happen," the Spaniard added. "But he knows and his agent knows we like him and want him a lot."

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2018 Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling in action with Arsenal's Hector Bellerin REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2018 Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi in action with Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2018 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2018 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley