Real Madrid Transfer News: Raheem Sterling Top Target, David De Gea Rumours

Rafa Benitez is looking to make Liverpool's Raheem Sterling one of his "first transfer targets" if he's unveiled as Real Madrid boss, according to John Cross of the Mirror.

Cross expects Benitez to be revealed as Carlo Ancelotti's successor next week. It is suggested the Spanish boss, who played an important role in taking Sterling to Anfield, remains a "big fan" of the England international. Sterling's future remains undecided amid a headline-making contract saga.

The 20-year-old was set to tell Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers he wants to leave before alleged comments from his agent saw Liverpool cancel their meeting, which was set for May 22, per BBC Sport. Benedict Moore-Bridger of the London Evening Standard reported comments attributed to Aidy Ward, Sterling's representative: "He's not signing (another contract at Liverpool) for £700, £800, £900 thousand a week."

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However, Ward "denies quotes attributed to him in the Evening Standard and is now taking legal advice about it," per Sky Sports. Either way, the meeting never went ahead, and now reports are putting two plus two together on Benitez's likely Bernabeu arrival and Sterling's availability.

The versatile forward posted an up-and-down season, scoring seven and assisting seven in 35 Premier League appearances, per WhoScored.com. His productivity suffered as the 2014-15 campaign drew to a close, perhaps a result of continued speculation in the press. Sterling possesses quality technical skills and is a hard worker, but he'll need to improve his end product to come close to Madrid's standard.

Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe recently looked at where the player is likely to end up.

Cross reports Madrid are also "growing in confidence" about signing Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea. Current Los Blancos stopper Iker Casillas would welcome the Spaniard, per El Larguero, tweeted by Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:

Although the ongoing FIFA corruption investigations dominate Thursday's press in England, both Sterling and De Gea appear on the back pages regarding moves away, per Nick Sutton of BBC Radio 4:

Should Benitez be installed as Madrid boss, it's likely he will bring major change to the way the team plays. Matt Law of the Telegraph suggests Gareth Bale will become the side's "key man," a tactic which will likely impact Cristiano Ronaldo's game.

This could also provide Sterling, or any other attacking signing, the chance to assert themselves at the Bernabeu. Benitez is a strategic manager, someone who can simultaneously compete for trophies while planning for the future, so it wouldn't be beyond him to make dramatic alterations before the start of the season.