Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has played down speculation linking the club with a move for Manchester City star Raheem Sterling this summer.
Many of City’s big-name players’ futures are in doubt after they were handed a two year ban from European competition from UEFA for breaching financial fair play rules, although City have appealed against the decision.
Sterling also didn’t rule out a move to Madrid in an interview with Spanish publication AS on Friday, saying: ” Real Madrid are a fantastic club, when you see the white shirt you know exactly what the club stands for, it’s massive.
(Image: AS)
“No one knows what the future will hold. I am a player and I am always open to challenges but right now my challenge is at Manchester City.”
But when asked about Sterling ahead of Madrid’s La Liga game against Levante on Saturday, Zidane refused to be drawn into talking about his future.
“I can’t talk about a player who isn’t mine. He’s a very good player, no doubt about that,” Zidane said.
The French manager will see Sterling up close in their Champions League last-16 tie against City, with the first leg taking place at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Sterling, meanwhile, will be back in action on Saturday as City travel to Leicester City, with the 25-year-old looking to score his first goal of 2020.
(Image: RODRIGO JIMENEZ/EPA-EFE/REX)
Sterling has not found the back of the net since he scored a brace in the 3-2 loss to Wolves on December 27, and he has also not created an assist since the 5-1 Champions League win against Atalanta in November.
His manager Pep Guardiola appeared nonplussed about Sterling’s comments about his admiration for Madrid, saying players are “free to say what they think. We’re not here to tell them what they have to say.”
