Pep Guardiola 'never counted on' Man City rising star now wanted by Real Madrid
Real Madrid are reportedly keen on Manchester City right-back Pedro Porro - but Pep Guardiola's side could lose out with Sporting Lisbon set to cash in on the 22-year-old loanee
Real Madrid are reportedly keen on Manchester City right-back Pedro Porro - but Sporting Lisbon could be the team that cashes in.
Porro is currently on his second season loan with Sporting, having been a key player as they beat Porto and Benfica to the Portuguese title last term.
His impressive performance have caught the eye of Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti looking to strengthen his options down the right-hand side.
Sporting have the option to sign the 22-year-old for €8.5million (£7.3m) at the end of this season, under the terms of his loan from Pep Guardiola's side.
But the Premier League champions could lose out, with Madrid set to pounce once he has completed the move to Lisbon.
That's according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, which claims the La Liga side are biding their time as they know it will be cheaper to sign Porro from the Portuguese side rather than from City.
And Sporting could cash in big time, with Porro's value having risen to £18m during his time in Lisbon, according to Transfermarkt.
Portuguese publication O Jogo, cited by Sport Witness, claims City 'never counted on' Porro, who started 30 league games for Sporting last season, missing the remaining four only because of injury.
But it would definitely represent good business for the Portuguese club if they manage to sell him to Madrid for a profit soon after making his move from the Etihad permanent.
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Porro may not be the only City player Madrid are interested in, with Raheem Sterling having reportedly been on the Spanish side's radar earlier this year.
Sterling continues to be linked with a move away from Manchester, with the forward made just two Premier League starts so far this season despite his form for England at Euro 2020 and in the recent World Cup qualifiers.
And Madrid's rivals Barcelona are the latest club who are said to be keen on a move for the 26-year-old.
Spanish outlet Sport reports that Barcelona could reignite their interest in Sterling after a deal failed to materialise during the summer transfer window.
The publication adds that the Catalan giants are ready to rest City's resolve by making a bid in early 2022, and that Sterling has given the 'thumbs up' over a potential move.
Barca were also linked with interest in Bernardo Silva this summer, but City would be loath to lose him and he continued to prove his importance to the team with a superb performance in Saturday's 1-0 win at Chelsea.
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