England star Raheem Sterling has indicated he would prefer to go abroad if he left Manchester City rather than join Arsenal, who tried to sign him in the summer.

Sterling, who is settled at the Etihad and has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, was wanted by manager Arsene Wenger as part of a deal to take Alexis Sanchez to City.

City boss Pep Guardiola rebuffed the idea and Sterling, who turned 23 on Friday, has been in scintillating form with a career-high 13 goals already this season ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby against United at Old Trafford.

Raheem Sterling has revealed that he intends to move abroad if he leaves Manchester City

The in-form England star explained: 'Spain's attractive. Anywhere the weather is nice really!'

Contract talks between Sterling and City are expected to start after the World Cup next summer but, looking further ahead, the winger says he would like to go overseas instead of returning to London, where he started his career at QPR.

'I'm happy at Man City at the moment,' he says. 'But nobody knows what the future brings so one day, definitely, it would be nice to play abroad. It would be a great experience.

'Spain's attractive. Anywhere the weather is nice really! Can't be in London. I can't be near my friends. They got to stay down there.'

Sterling has thrived at City under Guardiola despite the £43million arrival of Bernardo Silva putting pressure on him and Leroy Sane for a starting place.

Last month, Sterling scored the winners in consecutive games against Feyenoord, Huddersfield and Southampton.

'Bernardo Silva came in and that competition, stuff like that spurs me into trying to do well, to get better,' he said.

Arsenal tried to sign Sterling this summer but the 23-year-old has ruled out a return to London