Football transfer rumours: Man City mocks Real Madrid's Sterling offer

Premier League champions Manchester City on Monday labeled Real Madrid’s reported offer for their striker Raheem Sterling as 'absurd' according to British media reports. It is believed that Madrid recetnyl proposed a £70m cash offer including giving away star Wales winger Gareth Bale in return for Sterling joining the Los Blancos in the January 2020 winter transfer window.

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Sterling is in great form 

Raheem Sterling has been integral to City's success under Pep Guardiola as the player is considered an important element in the team’s tactics. He has started the season in terrific form with seven goals in 10 league matches. Guardiola also believes that the England international is maturing into someone capable of succeeding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world. He has constantly lauded Sterling’s physical attributes and his capacity to play matches day in and day out.

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He was signed from Liverpool in 2015 for a fee of £49 million. Sterling’s contract keeps him at the Etihad until 2023 and Guardiola, along with Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain, have no intention of getting rid of Sterling as of now.

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Bale could make an exit 

Real Madrid were desperate to offload Wales star Gareth Bale in the previous summer but the Welshman got an opportunity to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu for a year. This was done to avoid a shortfall in the attacking section, with Marco Asensio already out for a season. However, with recent performances of Brazilian sensation Rodrygo on the right wing, Bale is nearing an exit. Los Blancos would be looking to reap maximum financial gains from the player.

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Bale remains open to an exit and that could open up the possibility of a transfer in the winter window. But Sterling is not considered a priority at this point, even though he is a player whom the hierarchy at Madrid have tracked and admired in the past.