Raheem Sterling’s future is still up in the air heading into the final days of the window. (Image: Getty)
Raheem Sterling has already made his dream transfer crystal clear ahead of a proposed switch to Old Trafford and it isn’t a switch to Manchester United.
Sterling has emerged as a late transfer candidate for the Red Devils after the winger was exiled from the Chelsea squad by new boss Enzo Maresca.
Talk of a swap deal with Jadon Sancho has been mooted, with Sterling and his fellow countryman both believed to be open to the exchange.
However, should United land a late deal for Sterling, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. will have to be wary of him using the club as a stepping stone.
That’s because Sterling has previously spoken out about his admiration for La Liga giants Real Madrid during his time as a Manchester City player.
Commenting in 2020 while he was working under Pep Guardiola, Sterling said: “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 City and I’m really happy.
“I have a contract with City now and I have to respect this.
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Raheem Sterling spoke up the possibility of joining Real Madrid when he was at Man City. (Image: Getty)
“Real Madrid are a fantastic club. When you see the white shirt you know exactly what the club stands for – it’s massive.”
Granted, for Sterling to even become a viable transfer target at the Santiago Bernabeu it would’ve meant a move to United turned out to be a raging success.
Right now, that looks a long way away, but given Sterling’s tendency to move around from club to club, it might be something United have to consider down the line.
However, Sterling has bigged up the possibility of playing for United in the past, revealing, again while playing for City, he was a boyhood Red Devil.
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Speaking to The Mirror in 2019, he said: “I shouldn’t really say this – not now, definitely not now! – but when I was young I was a massive United fan.
“I had an old United kit, from when they won the last FA Cup. I was at the final in 2007.
“If two or three of the kids could be inspired, then that’s all I was trying to do. Purely, that’s how I felt at the time.
“If there was a kid who had a chance of being a footballer, hopefully that will give them motivation or inspiration to change their dreams.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1941374/raheem-sterling-dream-transfer-man-utd-real-madrid