Raheem Sterling linked with what would be the most surprising move in a long time

To be honest, Manchester City don't strike us as the kind of club that might need to cash in on one of their star players any time soon

This said, they might be forced to make a difficult decision over Raheem Sterling in the next 12 months... at least according to a report, that is. Sterling, despite playing a significant role in Pep Guardiola's side's record-breaking run to the Premier League title last season, has entered into the final two years of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and a report by The Mirror claims there is no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over an extended deal. This, the report adds, would leave City in a dilemma if no agreement has been found in a year's time. If there continues to be a standoff in contract talks, Sterling would be allowed to reach a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club in January 2020 and leave City on a free the following summer. Real Madrid, long-term admirers of the 23-year-old, are thought to be monitoring the situation carefully and have already added Sterling's name to their transfer wish list for next summer. Although the report stresses that no bid is imminent from the European champions this year, they may target Sterling next summer. Should they decide to table a decent offer for him, City might be tempted to accept it if they know it's unlikely he will sign a new deal in Manchester. Stranger things have happened, but it does seem a stretch to imagine City not finding an agreement with Sterling, a player who scored 23 times for them last season, in the next year.