Recently reports (Metro) had emerged that Real Madrid would offer £70m plus Gareth Bale to lure Manchester City’s in-form attacker Raheem Sterling. Now Manchester City have had their say on the transfer links, and it is believed that champions are not interested even in the slightest.
The key decision-makers at the club have called the offer as absurd as City are neither in need of money, nor do they want to lose Sterling. Moreover, Guardiola isn’t keen on Gareth Bale, so the possible transfer doesn’t seem to tick any boxes for the English champions.
Why are Real Madrid unlikely to lure him?
It is not surprising to see City take such a stance as Sterling has emerged as a crucial player in Guardiola’s setup. The English winger has improved leaps and bounds under the former Barcelona player, and Sterling can be termed as one of the best in the world in his position.
The 24-year-old is on a long term contract at the club as his current deal expires in 2023. Sterling earns around £300,000/ week in wages. Therefore even in terms of money, Real Madrid might not be able to lure someone like Sterling, who is already being well paid by the English champions. Sterling has been in terrific form for his club and country in the past year, and he already has 13 goals in all competitions this season.
Gareth Bale: An unwanted star
Moreover, Gareth Bale is past his prime, and he is unlikely to fit in Guardiola’s setup. The Welshman might produce a moment of brilliance and magic now and then, but he is already 30 now and sending away a young, and rising player for a player on a downward trajectory doesn’t make sense. Sterling could well improve further the way his rise has been in the last two-three seasons. He is still just 24, and with more experience, he will definitely be one of the biggest stars in world football.
It is not often that Spanish giants like Real Madrid or Barcelona get to hear no in the transfer market but times seem to be changing as both the Spanish giants have struggled in the past one or two seasons. With Manchester City, they can’t even use their financial muscle to sign a player like Sterling.
Bale has undoubtedly been a headache for Madrid in the past year as they haven’t been able to ship him away. £70m plus Bale was never going to cut it for Manchester City, and Real Madrid will have to look somewhere else to deport their Welsh asset.
