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Cape Town - Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed suggestions
that Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling is a transfer target for the
Spanish giants.
Sterling is likely to face the Champions League holders at Anfield on Wednesday in matchday three of the group stages, having been linked with a move to Los Blancos of late.
The 19-year-old winger is negotiating a new improved deal on Merseyside, with his current contract set to expire in 2017, although it has done little to dampen talk of a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Ancelotti has moved to dispel the rumours, insisting the England international is not on Real's radar, even though he holds Sterling in high regard.
"It is clear Sterling is not in our plans," he told The Sun. "Sterling is a player of great quality, certainly one of the best in Europe. But we already have extraordinary talent here.
"Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo are still young - and we have a talent here called Jese who is even younger.
"He is injured at the moment but already last year he has done things that are extraordinary, so to think of another striker for the Real Madrid attack is really extremely difficult."
Commenting on the teenager ahead of the midweek clash, Ancelotti added: "Sterling is strong because he has a specific quality which is pace and controlling the ball at pace which is unique.
"In today's football at this level pace is a very important element. But I never worry about only one player. I always think I have to play against a team."
Sterling is likely to face the Champions League holders at Anfield on Wednesday in matchday three of the group stages, having been linked with a move to Los Blancos of late.
The 19-year-old winger is negotiating a new improved deal on Merseyside, with his current contract set to expire in 2017, although it has done little to dampen talk of a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Ancelotti has moved to dispel the rumours, insisting the England international is not on Real's radar, even though he holds Sterling in high regard.
"It is clear Sterling is not in our plans," he told The Sun. "Sterling is a player of great quality, certainly one of the best in Europe. But we already have extraordinary talent here.
"Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo are still young - and we have a talent here called Jese who is even younger.
"He is injured at the moment but already last year he has done things that are extraordinary, so to think of another striker for the Real Madrid attack is really extremely difficult."
Commenting on the teenager ahead of the midweek clash, Ancelotti added: "Sterling is strong because he has a specific quality which is pace and controlling the ball at pace which is unique.
"In today's football at this level pace is a very important element. But I never worry about only one player. I always think I have to play against a team."
