Real Madrid: Adidas can try, but Raheem Sterling transfer has no chance

Real Madrid are still being linked to Raheem Sterling despite the clear stance that they can’t afford a major transfer.

Before COVID-19, Real Madrid had one major overarching goal in mind for the summer transfer window, and that was to sign a top-scoring forward to help out Karim Benzema. Los Blancos ended up winning their 34th La Liga title, with Benzema playing a starring role and involved in a two-horse Pichichi race with Lionel Messi, but they may still want a young top-scoring forward in the long term.

Kylian Mbappe is the top target, no doubt about it. The likes of Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane may be on Los Blancos’ radar, but Mbappe is by far the most valuable player in the world and the best fit for Zinedine Zidane.

But given the current economic situation in football, Real Madrid won’t be making any major signings this summer. And for them to sign Mbappe in 2021, that might even be a stretch if PSG play hardball, including if they demand either Rodrygo Goes or Vinicius Junior in exchange.

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There are other wide forward options for Real Madrid, of course, and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling is one of them.

According to a report in The Times, via AS, Adidas are trying to push a Sterling to Madrid transfer. And what’s even more bewildering is that they are reportedly pushing to make that transfer happen this summer.

The Times reports that Sterling is set to sign a sponsorship deal with the powerful sportswear company soon, and Adidas want Sterling to be a new top star alongside Eden Hazard and others on Real Madrid, who are one of the top clubs using their kits.

It’s an ambitious idea from Adidas, but as powerful as they may be, it’s almost impossible to see this deal happening.

Sterling has been linked to Real Madrid before, so there is some logic to it. And Sterling is a wonderful player. He’s so good, though, that it’s hard seeing City selling someone that important to them. When Real and City played against each other in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, it was Sterling’s inclusion in the match as a substitute that turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead for the Citizens. He is immensely valuable to them. Therefore, City would ask for a fee closer to 150 than 100 million euros, even in this economy.

Real Madrid cannot afford that. And as much as they’d benefit from Sterling’s intelligent and incisive runs and lethal finishing, they have three great left wingers in Eden Hazard, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo Goes. And Rodrygo and Vinicius already have enough roadblocks to consistent playing time on the left.

Now, Sterling could play on the right, but if Real sign him to play on the right and pay this much money, they won’t get Kylian Mbappe.

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And who would Adidas rather have a the end of the day, Sterling at Real Madrid or Mbappe? That’s another question to ponder. Sterling is one of the best in the world, but this deal has no shot at happening in 2020 or even 2021.

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