Reports: Real Madrid interested in signing Manchester City star as Bale replacement

What's the rumour?

Gareth Bale has struggled for form and fitness in the last few months and now latest reports in Don Balon claim that Los Blancos are looking at Manchester City star Raheem Sterling to replace the speedy Welshman.

According to reports in the Daily Star, Bale has been linked with a move to Manchester United and should the 28-year-old injury prone star make a move back to the Premier League, Zidane has told Perez to get him 23-year-old Raheem Sterling in the summer transfer window.

The same report in Don Balon also claimed that Perez is looking at completing January moves for Mauro Icardi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Real Madrid president is keen on strengthening his squad and the Spanish website believes that Perez could move for the prolific strikers in the coming days.

In case you didn't know...

With Sanchez heavily tipped to join Manchester United, there were some fans and pundits who thought that United's interest in Gareth Bale had ended. However BetStars spokesman (via the Daily Star) Ian Marmion said:

“Speculation has mounted that Real Madrid star Gareth Bale could soon be on his way out of the Spanish capital following reports that the Welshman is eager to force through a return to the Premier League after struggling for game time under Zinedine Zidane in recent months.

“Manchester United have long been linked with the Wales international and the Red Devils are the current frontrunners at 5/2 to finally get their man, who could form a formidable attacking partnership with Manchester-bound Alexis Sanchez at Old Trafford."

Raheem Sterling, on the other hand, has been in fine form for Manchester City this season and it will be interesting to see City's response if Real Madrid do indeed bid for the England international.

The heart of the matter

Sterling has been one of Manchester City's standout players this season

Raheem Sterling under the excellent guidance of Pep Guardiola has slowly matured into a world-class winger capable of winning games single-handedly. Still only 23, the pacy English winger certainly has all the tools to play in a club of the stature of Real Madrid.

Considering the current market, however, Real Madrid will have to bid a huge amount of money for Manchester City to even consider selling their prized asset.

Rumour rating/probability

3/10

While Real Madrid might truly be interested in the 23-year-old, it looks highly unlikely that Manchester City and Pep Guardiola would agree to sell the winger. Also, Don Balon is known to get things wrong from time to time and this rumour should definitely be taken with a pinch of salt by the readers.

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Author's take

In an ideal world, Raheem Sterling would be the best possible replacement for Gareth Bale. However, Manchester City will be in no mood to sell and Real Madrid, in all likelihood, will have to look at other possibilities in the transfer market if the pacy Welshman does indeed depart Santiago Bernabeu in the near future.