For Real? Madrid want City stars
CITY SEND HANDS-OFF WARNING TO SPANISH GIANTS
REAL Madrid are targeting City’s champions as they seek a summer rebuild.
The Spanish giants are trailing 15 points behind old rivals Barcelona in La Liga, and are due for an overhaul of their playing squad, despite closing in on another Champions League final last night with a 2-1 first leg semi-final win at Bayern Munich.
They have set their sights on Leroy Sane, Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and John Stones, as well as eyeing Liverpool ace Mo Salah.
But City will meet any attempt to prise away their front-line stars with a firm refusal – and Real will be told their main men are not available at any price.
It is a standpoint City have taken for the last seven years on Sergio Aguero – repeatedly a target for both Real and Barcelona.
One report in Spain claims Real are preparing a £70m offer for Sane, the newlycrowned PFA Young Player of the Year.
But City will make it plain to any wouldbe suitors that NO bids will be considered.
De Bruyne is another whose name has been linked with Real – they were said to be ready to pay 200m euros (£175m) for the brilliant midfielder. But City have already secured his future by bumping his pay up to a club-high £275,000-a-week and getting his signature on a new deal until 2023.
His agent Patrick de Koster claimed he had informal talks with both Real and Barcelona before De Bruyne committed his future to the Blues.
Sterling’s spectacular season – he scored his 23rd goal of the season against Swansea on Sunday – has also attracted Real, but City are planning to tie him to a bumper new deal in the summer.
Stones is a more surprising name in the Real frame, as the second half of his season has been ruined by injury and inconsistent form.
But Real’s interest was piqued by his displays in the first half of the season – and City have already moved to quell any doubts about his future with them.