Soon to be Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is to attempt to make want-away winger Raheem Sterling his first signing at the Bernabeu.
Benitez is set to be announced as the new Madrid manager as early as next week, and has sounded out Sterling as the first part of his new project in Madrid.
Having signed Sterling when he was manager at Liverpool in 2010, Benitez knows the player well, making it a personal effort to show the player around their Melwood training ground and Anfield at the tender age of 15.
Liverpool could be tempted to sell Sterling to Madrid, with the relationship between the player and the manager and the manager and the club thought to be a big plus point should any negotiations materialise.
Sterling is understood to look up to Benitez, respecting the manager who shown faith in signing him at such a young age.
Another positive factor for all parties could be the fact that selling to a European club would mean that Liverpool would not have to face Sterling in the Premier League, which of course would be the case if Manchester City, Chelsea or Arsenal make bids during this summer or next.
Be it too soon or not, a move to Madrid would almost certainly turn Sterling’s head away from a move to London or across the North West to Manchester City.
