There is a growing feeling around Manchester City that Raheem Sterling could do for Pep Guardiola what Lionel Messi did at Barcelona. And that is to be the talismanic force behind a Champions League triumph.
That is not to say the England international is ready to step into Messi’s shoes as the finest footballer on the planet. But such is his influence on a Man City side that have dominated in England, but flattered to deceive in Europe, he could be the difference when it comes to Guardiola finally proving he can win club football’s greatest prize without the assistance of a certain Argentine.
For that reason it was no surprise to hear the reaction from within the Etihad to reports of Real Madrid’s plans to prise Sterling away.
Ignore for a moment the package supposed to tempt City to the negotiating table.
A cash sum of £70m plus Gareth Bale on top would presumably mean Real value their 30-year-old, injury-hampered and out-of-favour Welshman at around £100m – which still wouldn’t make the deal in the slightest bit appealing to Guardiola or City.
The simple fact of the matter is, City are not a selling club – no matter who comes calling. And that includes Real, who have made a habit of bullying Manchester United out of their best players – be it David Beckham to Cristiano Ronaldo.
When it comes to City’s prize assets, Sterling may just be the most valuable of all. And that places him alongside Messi as the most unattainable player in world football right now.
Privately the notion of Real luring Sterling away was dismissed as ‘ridiculous’ within the Etihad.
Standard Sport understands the Spanish giants have no plans to launch a January move for the 24-year-old, but Real’s admiration for him is long-standing.
They watched intently as negotiations over a new contract became ever more protracted last season. They were ready to pounce if City failed to come up with the numbers to reward Sterling’s development as one of the few undroppables in Guardiola’s star-studded squad.
But with a new deal tying him to the club until 2023, he will only go on City’s terms.
Ever wondered why Real never launched moves for the likes of Sergio Aguero or David Silva?
Why Kevin de Bruyne hasn’t crossed their radar?
This is the club that lured Luis Figo from their fiercest rivals Barcelona.
The club that consistently lands the shiniest stars – Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, both Ronaldos and most recently Eden Hazard.
It’s the club that won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
And yet the Etihad has been a no-go zone for the past decade.
Privately City sources say Europe’s giants know it’s not even worth approaching them for their best players – they simply won’t sell.
They don’t have to.
Abu Dhabi riches have made them impervious to the type of market forces that meant even Barca had to bid farewell Neymar when Paris Saint-Germain made him the most expensive player in history.
And even Real took the money on offer when Juventus swooped for Ronaldo.
The traditional elite of the Premier League all have their price, too.
United lost Beckham and Ronaldo.
Liverpool were powerless to stop Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho when the Camp Nou beckoned.
Chelsea hung on for as long as possible before accepting the inevitable with Hazard, while Arsenal have been selling off their crown jewels for as long as anyone can remember.
By contrast City were prepared to let Carlos Tevez rot, rather than sell up against their will.
Yaya Toure’s future felt like an annual saga at times, yet the Ivorian remained at the Etihad right up until the point it was decided he was surplus to requirements.
Leroy Sane may well prove the exception – but the fact the German has entered the final two years of his contract is proving a major factor behind a potential move to Bayern Munich.
Even still, City are demanding £137m for the winger if he is to leave before the end of his deal.
Sterling, on the other hand, is simply priceless.
