Real Madrid 'step up Raheem Sterling pursuit'

Real Madrid will reportedly 'intensify' their interest in Raheem Sterling, having watched the Manchester City attacker score twice for England in Monday's 3-2 win against Spain.

Sterling ended his three-year international goal drought with a brace against the 2010 world champions, and according to the Daily Mail, was watched by Madrid scouts in the UEFA Nations League clash.

Madrid are said to have a long-standing interest in Sterling, and the same report claims that the European champions will now step up their bid to sign the former Liverpool attacker.

Sterling signed a five-year contract with City upon his arrival in the summer of 2015, and the England international has scored 48 times in 150 appearances for the Citizens in all competitions.

The player netted 23 times for Pep Guardiola's team last term, and has already registered four in seven Premier League appearances during the 2018-19 campaign.

The 23-year-old will see his current deal expire in the summer of 2020 though, and it is understood that Sterling wants to become one of the best-paid players at the Etihad Stadium, which has created an impasse in contract discussions.

Sterling is currently on £170,000 a week at City but is believed to want a deal in the region of £220,000 a week.