Real Madrid are stepping up their interest to sign Raheem Sterling next summer.
The club’s coach Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly put the Liverpool star on top of his hit list after his blistering form for club and country.
Real have been alerted by the fact that the Reds are yet to hand Sterling an improved contract and are planning a move on him.
The 19 –year-old is currently on a £30,000-a-week package that expires in 2017. It was rumoured earlier in the summer that Sterling would be offered an improved contract that will see his salary tripled but that is yet to materialise.
He is currently one of the lowest earners in the club but Reds coach Brenden Rodgers insists the player has to wait for his new deal.
Rodgers said: “When you reward young players too quickly – Raheem’s still only 19 – you give them too much too early and that will be their downfall. It’s a big problem because they lose their hunger.”
The Anfield side have to make up their minds quickly with big clubs silently waiting in the wings.
Madrid player Gareth Bale has welcomed a Sterling move to the Bernebau.
Bale said last week: “If you look at Raheem Sterling, I think he’s shown what a good player he is. He’s starting to perform more consistently.
“If he keeps working hard and doing what he’s doing, then he’s going to keep progressing and the sky is his limit.”