Real monitor Sterling
Real Madrid have renewed their interest in Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, according to reports.
Sky Sports News says that the European champions are “monitoring” the 23-year-old’s form at the Etihad, although “no bids are expected to be made before the transfer window closes across Europe on Friday”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Spanish press had claimed earlier this month that Real might look to agree terms with City ahead of a move by Sterling to the Spanish capital next summer.
Spies at Wembley
That is not the case, says Sky Sports, but Real Madrid “will have club representatives in the crowd at Wembley” when England play Spain in the Uefa Nations League on 8 September, with a view to tabling a big-money bid in January.
Sterling has less than two years to run on his present contract and has yet to commit his long-term future to the Sky Blues. Negotiations for a new deal broke down in June, and according to the Manchester Evening News (MEN), the England frontman “wants a hefty pay rise” in order to bring him parity with the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Comparable wage
Currently on a £180,000-a-week deal, Sterling is well aware that De Bruyne signed a new six-year deal in January, with a pay structure that will eventually see him earning £350,000-a-week.
Sterling, who scored 23 goals in 46 matches last season, wants a comparable wage - but City don’t seem inclined to accede to his demands.
The MEN claims that City are “refusing to be panicked over reports of renewed Real Madrid interest” in Sterling. However, the newspaper adds, manager Pep Guardiola has made it clear to the board that he values the young striker highly and wants to get him tied down to a long-term deal.
Sterling before Hazard
The Daily Star says that Real’s interest in Sterling is good news for Chelsea fans, because the Spanish giants are no longer set on signing Eden Hazard.
The Belgian ace was heavily linked to the Bernabeu earlier in the summer, but the newspaper claims that he “is no longer as big a priority as Sterling”.
-
How do new stadiums affect football clubs?In the Spotlight Everton's decision to move its men's team out of Goodison Park could be a catalyst for vital change, but there are cautionary tales too
-
Liverpool's Anfield redemption: how did they do it?Talking Point Arne Slot's blueprint and standout player performances guide the Reds to record 20th league title
-
Where are all the English football managers?Talking Point Eddie Howe's Carabao Cup success underlines absence of homegrown coaching talent in the Premier League
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran ErikssonIn Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?In the Spotlight A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
