Real Madrid are preparing to launch an 'all-out assault' to sign Raheem Sterling. 

Los Blancos were already planning a summer move for the winger, who is valued at £180 million. 

Due to the news of Manchester City's Champions League ban, the club believe a lack of European football at the Etihad will help bring him to the Bernabeu. 

That's all according to The Sun, which also reports the Premier League champions were keen to renew Sterling's contract.

He's currently on £300,000 per week, although talks began last year to increase that weekly figure to £450,000.

But the club may now be unable to pay him that much if they miss out on the £170 million Champions League jackpot. 

Man City are going to appeal their ban through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but should it fail, there's a real chance they would lose a number of key players. 

Sterling, of course, being one of them. The English forward still has three years on his current contract, but surely wouldn't settle for anything other than Champions League football next season.

He's also made no secret of the fact he wants to play abroad one day. 

"You just don't know what happens in the future. I'm still young and, like I say, I am loving every minute [at Man City]," Sterling said back in July 2019.

"Ever since I was a kid, 100 per cent it's always been a dream of mine to play abroad somewhere. It would be nice one day to finish training and go home and sit in your garden and eat some dinner."

GIVEMESPORT's Ollie Browning says:

Look away now, Man City fans. Normally, we'd quickly dismiss any rumours like this one - especially when it's about Real Madrid spending big money. 

But if the Premier League champions do fail to overturn their Champions League ban, it's a real possibility their biggest stars will be tempted away from the Etihad. 

Players like Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva will not want to be without European football for two years, so could simply pack their bags and leave Manchester. 

We will have to wait and see if the club wins their appeal with CAS before getting too carried away, of course.