The rumor mill continues to swirl ahead of the the January transfer window, with the latest inconceivable transfer being concocted in the Spanish capital. According to the Daily Star (via Goal Transfer Talk), Real Madrid are willing to sell Gareth Bale to Manchester United or Chelsea in order to fund a move for Liverpool's Raheem Sterling.
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The reports come off the legs of the 20-year-old turning down a new contract from his parent club. Per the Telegraph, the new deal offered a £40,000 weekly pay raise. Sterling is said to be upset with Liverpool's early Champions League exit.
Should the rumor bear any weight, it won't come to fruition in the near future. At least not according to Carlo Ancelotti. The Real Madrid boss remains adamant that no players will be sold or bought in the January transfer window.
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"As I've said many times, I'm pleased with this squad," Ancelotti said (via Marca). "[Sami] Khedira has been unlucky. He came back from injury and has now picked up another, although he'll be fit again inside a week."
"Jesé is also back," he added. "We don't need anyone in January. We aren't going to sign anyone in January."
Despite Ancelotti's claims, Sterling would prove to be a welcomed commodity at the Santiago Bernabeu. In 15 league appearances, the Englishman boasts four assists and an average of 2.4 key passes, well above the distribution totals of Bale (three assists - 1.3 key passes).
But after paying nearly £80 million for the Welshman, don't expect Madrid to jettison his talents without the guarantee of pocketing a profit.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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