Pundit Garth Crooks urged Raheem Sterling quit Manchester City this summer and join Real Madrid.
The player has been linked with a move to the La Liga giants. Sterling hinted he hopes to play for Real Madrid in the future. UEFA handed down a two-year European suspension for breaking FFP regulations. Following the news, Real Madrid have reportedly prepared a summer move for the winger, who is valued at £180 million.
Crooks wrote in his BBC Sport column: “
When I saw the picture of England forward Raheem Sterling with a Real Madrid shirt draped over one shoulder and a Manchester City shirt draped over the other on the front cover of a Spanish publication, I immediately thought 'here is a genuine situation where there is no smoke without fire'.
“The interview inside didn't disappoint either with Sterling appearing coy when asked if he would one day like to play for Real Madrid; it was like asking a starry-eyed youngster if he would one day like to play for Manchester United. The difference is that the chances are highly likely that Sterling could do that, and are not merely a pipe dream.
“I interviewed him two years ago for Football Focus and asked him what his ambitions were, bearing in mind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were about to vacate their positions as the best players in the world.
“Sterling understood perfectly the inference behind the question and responded by saying he wanted to be the best player he could at City - but the smile that followed revealed the unbridled truth. The biggest club in the world doesn't come in for you when a club is ready to sell you. They come in for you when that club is desperate to keep you.
“Regular readers of TOTW will know what I think of Sterling. Indeed, with manager Pep Guardiola as his tutor, I've said he could replace Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world.
“What I will add now is that he could also achieve that same status under Real coach Zinedine Zidane. The question for Sterling is, who is it going to be? My advice is to do what Ronaldo did to Manchester United and Gareth Bale did to Spurs and move on.
“Do everything in your power to win the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League with City, but at the end of the season take a bow. Your time has come. Now seize it.”
Whether the Champions League ban will affect Sterling’s decision, remains unclear. However, City are taking their case to the CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) in a bid to get the decision overturned.
Sterling contracted to City until 2023.
Source:
Express
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