Raheem Sterling has decided to put talks on a new deal at Liverpool on hold leading to speculation in the UK press that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are hovering.
The winger has been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in the past with boss Carlo Ancelotti a long time admirer of the pacy midfielder.
And the Daily Mirror and Sun report the player has decided to put talks with the Reds on hold until the end of the season. Liverpool made him an initial offer which was rejected by the player and his agent, and were keen to tie him down having made a second offer.
The 20-year-old exploded onto the scene last season, and along with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, almost lead Liverpool to the title. Following the sale of Suarez to Barcelona and injury to Sturridge, much more pressure has been place on Sterling to perform to the same levels this season, but he hasn’t lived up to expectation so far.
Should Real Madrid want to sign the player it would likely mean the departure of someone in the first team squad. Sami Khedira’s future is in doubt, while some reports in the UK have linked Gareth Bale with a move to Manchester United this summer.