Mbappe’s PSG extension spells bad news for Manchester City

Real Madrid are set to make a move for Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling after missing out on Kylian Mbappe, according to reports. 

As per The Daily Star, the La Liga champions have now identified the Englishman, who is valued at around £50 million, as a target for this summer.

City secured a fourth Premier League title in the last five seasons on Sunday with a late comeback victory over Aston Villa, but it now appears they may have a battle on their hands to keep hold of one of their biggest stars.

Madrid had been heavily linked with Mbappe, who was set to be out of contract this summer, but the French forward agreed a three-year extension with current club PSG last week.

Having already missed out on Erling Haaland, who will soon join Manchester City, Real are now eyeing Sterling.

Sterling is a target for Real Madrid

The England international will enter into the final 12 months of his current deal with the Citizens this summer, and there has been no indication from the club that he will be offered an extension to his £350,000-per-week deal.

Sterling has scored 13 Premier League goals this season, but has seen his playing time reduced slightly over the past two seasons, with the arrivals of Jack Grealish and the emergence of Phil Foden contributing factors.

The ex-Liverpool man has previously spoken of his desire to one day play for a European club, and Real may offer the perfect opportunity to do so.

In 2020, he gave an interview to Spanish media in which he admitted his admiration for the club, and he also posed with one of the club’s shirts.

Sterling, 27, will also be wary of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, which starts in November.

Despite being a regular for the Three Lions over the past few years, Sterling will want to guarantee himself regular club football in the lead up to the showpiece, and may therefore be tempted to leave City, having started just 23 of their 38 league games this season.