Real Madrid ‘increase pursuit’ of Raheem Sterling and other Man City transfer rumours

Real Madrid are ramping up their pursuit of Raheem Sterling on the back of Chelsea’s interest, according to reports. The winger is being tipped for a Manchester City exit after seeing a decline in game time over the last few years. He started 23 Premier League matches this season - the fewest number since the 2015/16 campaign.

Sterling has been linked with a move to Chelsea as a result. The Blues reportedly wish to make a first statement signing under new owner Todd Boehly and his consortium.

However, the Mirror reports that Madrid are now upping their interest. The Champions League winners missed out on Kylian Mbappe this summer after the superstar penned a new mega-money deal with Paris Saint-Germain last month.

READ MORE: Raheem Sterling closes on decision as Man City wait for Chelsea transfer bid

It forced them to rethink their transfer plans and Sterling is supposedly a part of that. The England international has just 12 months left on his deal, so Barcelona are also keeping tabs on the player in the hopes of a cut-price deal after being put off by City’s reported £70m valuation of Bernardo Silva.

As the MEN reported earlier today, Pep Guardiola cannot offer Sterling any guarantees over playing time given the ferociously-competitive nature of the squad and City bosses have left the player to decide for himself if he still feels they can offer him what he wants.

It is understood, however, there has not yet been an approach to Sterling or to City from Chelsea to firm up the interest and put them as frontrunners to sign him.

Meanwhile, Football Insider claims Vincent Kompany is close to making City academy youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis his first signing as Burnley boss. The 20-year-old defender joined Stoke for the