Raheem Sterling emerges as Kylian Mbappe alternative for Real Madrid

Florentino Perez has seen his dreams of a quite magnificent summer transfer window go up in smoke, with Kylian Mbappe signing a contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain and Erling Haaland agreeing to join Manchester City, and Real Madrid are now scrambling to sign alternative targets.

One such player who has emerged as a possible option for Los Blancos is Raheem Sterling, who was heavily linked with a January loan to Barcelona after falling out of favour with Pep Guardiola.

Whilst the Spanish coach has done a lot of Sterling's development, he is no longer a regular starter with the team and was introduced only from the bench in the second half of Manchester City's title deciding fixture against Aston Villa on Sunday.

In a report published by The Daily Star, it is said that Los Merengues want to sign Sterling for around 59 million euros, having long been admirers of the former Liverpool forward.

At 27 years old, Sterling is approaching the prime of his career and after having reached fantastic highs with the Blues, he may now be looking for a new challenge.

Where would he fit at Real Madrid?

One of the beauties of Mbappe's move to Los Blancos was that he could thrive in a wide position and then eventually take over from Karim Benzema through the centre, with Sterling you aren't getting a player who can do that.

He doesn't lead the line, although his goalscoring output has been sensational since Guardiola took charge at the Etihad Stadium, and fans would have to be concerned that he wouldn't necessarily represent an upgrade on Vinicius Jr, who has developed nicely in recent months.

Furthermore, Rodrygo ended the 2021/22 season in such fine form, you'd have to ask whether Real Madrid want to jeopardise his development, especially when you look at the success a patient approach with Vinicius Jr has provided on the opposing flank.