MANCHESTER UNITED are considering an incredible move for Raheem Sterling if rivals City’s Champions League ban is upheld, according to reports.
Pep Guardiola’s side were given a two year ban in February for alleged serious breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.
But the reigning Premier League champions are set to appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the course of three days next week.
Club chiefs are said to be fearful of a number of stars leaving if the ban remains in place.
And The Independent claim United, aware of the situation, have been keeping close tabs on 25-year-old England star Sterling.
It was back in February, not long after City’s ban was confirmed, that Sterling posed with a Real Madrid shirt for a Spanish newspaper.
SunSport told you at the time how Real chiefs were planning to go all out with a £180m bid to land the winger.
The Independent report claims no one at United sees “as any way likely” that Sterling would make the move across Manchester.
But it is claimed that “if he becomes available, United will go for him” – even though he is “much likelier” to go to the Bernabeu.
Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward made it clear a few months ago that Sterling intends to stay at the Etihad.
He said: “Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment.”
Back in February, Sterling was asked about the possibility of joining Real in the future but said “right now” he is happy at City.
He said: “It’s one of those things… right now I’m at City and I’m really happy.
“But I say Real Madrid are a fantastic club, when you see the white shirt you know exactly what the club stands for, it’s massive.
“But at the same time, I have a contract with City now and I have to respect this. But it’s a fantastic club.”
