Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Raheem Sterling, Adnan Januzaj, More

When you're Forbes' highest-valued football team in the world, transfer rumours tend to follow you wherever you go. Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid know this all too well, and the Italian manager has been clarifying some of his January plans in the last few days.

The Champions League holders have been on a roll of late and have one of the deepest and most talented squads on the planet, but great teams don't remain great by resting on their laurels. At least one or two key arrivals are expected in January, so let's have a look at the latest transfer news surrounding Los Blancos.

Carlo Ancelotti Not Interested in Raheem Sterling

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Raheem Sterling's potential transfer to the Spanish capital continues to make headlines in the British press, but Ancelotti told The Sun on Sunday (h/t Goal's Alex Young) Los Blancos are not in the market for Sterling's services.

The Italian manager praised the young talent before making it clear Real don't need him:

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Sterling is a player of great quality, certainly one of the best in Europe. But we already have extraordinary talent here.

To think of another striker for the Real Madrid attack is really extremely difficult. It's clear that Sterling is not in our plans.

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The 19-year-old has quickly established himself as England's top young talent, but with club and player yet to agree on a new contract, there are some question marks regarding his future.

Sterling is widely expected to stay at Anfield, however, where he will receive plenty of starting minutes and continue his development. Los Blancos boast arguably the deepest group of attackers in all of football, and it's difficult to envision the youngster receiving the same amount of playing time as he currently does.

The England international is a precious talent, but as of right now, he wouldn't be able to instantly help Los Blancos. Monitoring his development in England and potentially returning in one or two years seems like a far safer strategy.

Real Preparing Adnan Januzaj Offer?

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Belgian starlet Adnan Januzaj has spent more time on the bench than on the pitch since the arrival of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, and Caught Offside's Christian Bailey believes Real could take advantage of the situation in the form of a £23 million transfer bid.

The teenager had a breakthrough campaign in 2013-14 that ended with a trip to the 2014 World Cup, and he's regarded as a future star for the Red Devils. A lack of playing time under the new boss must therefore be frustrating, potentially opening the door for a move.

As shared by Totally Man Utd, Januzaj's agent, Dirk De Vriese, believes the club has no intention to sell, however:

Van Gaal took over a struggling team and understandably chose to field his high-priced summer acquisitions over the talented but raw Januzaj, but the Belgian international is still viewed as the player the Red Devils will build their future squad around.

ESPN FC's Mark Payne believes the moment he takes over could arrive sooner rather than later:

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For many, the home defeat to West Brom last year was the point when they realised things weren't right. United's players looked lacklustre and something was missing. This match is the chance for Van Gaal to show the club is back on track.

Despite the sad legacy of Moyes' tenure at United, he was the man who gave Januzaj his debut and backed him. Nobody is complaining that United spent money this summer, but there isn't a fan in the stands who doesn't want to see Januzaj do well.

A start against West Brom would be a great opportunity for him to show what he can do.

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Januzaj's situation wouldn't be any different in the Spanish capital, where top stars like Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez would be the designated starters in the centre of the pitch, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are must-starts in the wide areas.

The 19-year-old would undoubtedly be an excellent building block for the future, but like Sterling, patience would be the best approach.

Shock New Deal for Sami Khedira

Jose Ignacio Unanue/Associated Press

Sami Khedira's transfer odyssey has more twists and turns than a Ronaldo dribble down the wing. Where it looked certain the Germany international would leave the club just a couple of weeks ago, Ancelotti has now opened the door for the midfielder to remain with Los Blancos.

As reported by BeIN Sports, the Italian believes the club still wants to renew his contract and will present the World Cup hero with the choice, saying, "We still have until June to renew his contract. I think the club intends to renew the deal and if he does not want to then he will remain here until to the end of season."

Paulo Duarte/Associated Press

The 27-year-old is a phenomenal player when healthy, but via Transfermarkt.com, he has spent more than 50 matches on the sidelines with an injury since the start of the 2013-14 season.

Real have plenty of talent in the centre of the pitch, but Khedira's diverse set of skills make him a valuable asset off the bench or as a starter against teams playing a low defensive line.

Khedira holds little value in the transfer market with his contract running out in June, but if both parties can agree on a fair contract, the holding midfielder could bring an end to one of the longest-running transfer sagas before any official moves have actually been made in January.

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