Real Madrid have been linked with more Galactico signings from the Premier League in January as they attempt to return to the top of Spanish and European football.
Zinedine Zidane's side were busy during the summer transfer window, with their biggest incoming seeing Eden Hazard join from Chelsea, but they still trail Barcelona at the top of La Liga and are five points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League group.
Reports suggest that Los Blancos have made Raheem Sterling one of their top targets in a bid to improve their fortunes, with a bid of £70m plus Gareth Bale being considered to prise the England international away from the Etihad Stadium, although Manchester City are understood to have swiftly rejected the approach.
Another player-plus-cash deal which has been mooted would see Madrid offer James Rodriguez as part of an agreement to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal, and here Sports Mole looks at how the 13-time European champions could line up if both transfers went through.
Any deal for Aubameyang would create an intriguing battle for the centre-forward role considering the form of Karim Benzema, who has been one of Real Madrid's best performers this season.
However, the Frenchman's seven goals in 13 appearances this term is still second best to Aubameyang, who has netted nine times in 11 outings across all competitions and eight in nine Premier League games despite Arsenal's inconsistent form.
Aubameyang also has the bonus of being a year younger than Benzema and so would likely be Madrid's first-choice centre-forward, and he would have some top-class support from Hazard and Sterling to create what would be one of the most fearsome attacking trios in world football.
Hazard is beginning to find his feet after a slow start to life in the Spanish capital, while Sterling has been firing from the off this season, scoring 13 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions.
Any deal for the England international - however unlikely it may be given City's reluctance to sell - would further limit the game time for youngsters such as Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz, but Sterling appears to have all of the attributes to star in La Liga and would no doubt be a first-team regular.
Barney Corkhill
