With Manchester City banned from the UEFA Champions League for two seasons, Spanish giants Real Madrid are believed to be preparing a £180 million (R3.4 billion) bid for one of the English club's highest earners.
On Friday last week, UEFA announced that the Citizens will not be allowed to partake in the Champions League in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns after they were found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
The Premier League giants were also slapped with a fine of £25 million (R480 million), but the club could still suffer further consequences if its appeal is unsuccessful.
A number of the club's senior players might assess their options at the end of the season should firm interest come from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
According to The Sun, Los Blancos have already set their sights on winger Raheem Sterling as they look to take advantage of City's European ban.
It has been claimed the 13-time Champions League winners could look to bid £180 million to secure the 25-year-old's signature, with reports suggesting that Real believe a player like Sterling will want to be playing in the elite club competition every season.
Despite a recent dip in form, the England international has contributed to 26 goals in 35 appearances so far for the Citizens this season, and is just 11 goals off a century of strikes for his club.
