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”.
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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”.
