Real Madrid have growing 'belief' they can sign Phil Foden from Manchester City

Real Madrid have reportedly emerged as strong contenders to sign Manchester City starlet Phil Foden.

The LaLiga champions are monitoring the progress of the England international, who has struggled for regular game time at the Etihad Stadium this year.

Before their Boxing Day victory over Newcastle, the 20-year-old had started just one game in the Premier League since October.

Now the Daily Mirror have reported there is growing 'belief' at Real Madrid that they could take advantage and make a move for the City star.

Zinedine Zidane's side have kept an eye on the progress of Foden for several years and are on the hunt to secure the best young talent in football.

Foden was expected to be a regular starter for Manchester City this season, after impressing at the end of last season and with the departure of club legend David Silva.

However he has spent yet more time on the substitutions bench, which was a particular source of angst during the Manchester derby earlier this month.

He also was left on the bench for the majority of other important league games including Liverpool and Tottenham.

On the other hand, he has become a European specialist starting the last five Champions League games - the 12th of his fledgling career.

By comparison, he has been named among Manchester City’s chosen Premier League XI on just 17 occasions since a full debut two years ago.

Despite this Guardiola has always praised the youngster, describing him once as the 'most talented player' he has seen as manager.

After his Carabao Cup quarter final goal against Arsenal, Guardiola offered some advice as he said: 'Phil wants to beat the world, he wants to eat the world and he wants to be important.

'He has an incredible energy when he has started, but in the final decision, in the final pass, he has to slow down a little bit.

'He has to understand about changing the rhythm (of attacks), but that comes with experience.

'We will be incredibly patient. It is not easy for a young player to have the rise like his in this club, playing important games, and with the national team.

'The weird thing would be if he was 20 and he didn't have something to improve. It is impossible. It is not a problem.