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Rafa Benitez wants to make Raheem Sterling one of his first transfer targets for Real Madrid.

Former Liverpool boss Benitez was in charge at Anfield and played a key role in persuading Sterling to move to Merseyside in 2010.

Benitez, who is set to be announced as Real Madrid's new boss next week, remains a big fan and that will only strengthen their chances of signing the England forward.

Real Madrid are already one of the clubs closely watching Sterling's contract stand-off at Liverpool and will make a move given any encouragement.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are also in the hunt for the 20-year-old who has turned down a new £90,000-a-week contract offer at Anfield.

(Image: Getty Images)

Bayern Munich are also watching developments but Real Madrid could have a better chance of persuading Sterling to move abroad after Benitez takes charge.

Benitez even took the personal trouble to show Sterling around the club's training ground when Liverpool beat off competition to sign him in 2010 as a 15-year-old from QPR.

Sterling has a great deal of respect for Benitez and that connection could be crucial if Liverpool decide they have to sell this summer.

Raheem Sterling - Premier League 2014/15 3,045 Minutes played 7 Goals 8 Assists

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are growing in confidence that they will sign Manchester United keeper David De Gea this summer.

De Gea has one year left on his contract at Old Trafford and is Real Madrid's top target to replace club legend Iker Casillas.

Time Line Raheem Sterling's time at Liverpool February 27, 2010 Rafa Benitez signs Raheem Sterling from QPR for an initial fee of around £600,000 with an appearance from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres helping seal the deal at the club's Melwood training ground August 1, 2010 Future England manager Roy Hodgson sends on a 15-year-old Sterling for his first appearance in Liverpool colours in a pre-season friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany March 24, 2012 Reds boss Kenny Dalglish rewards Sterling for his fine performances in the reserves by handing him his competitive first-team debut as a late substitute in a 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic October 20, 2012 Sterling nets his first Liverpool goal to give the Reds victory over Reading at Anfield and becomes the club's second youngest scorer behind Michael Owen November 14, 2012 Hodgson, now in charge of the national team, hands Sterling his England debut in a 4-2 friendly defeat in Sweden as Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Imbrahimovic destroyed the Three Lions. December 21, 2012 Having earned his place as key figure in Brendan Rodgers' plans, Sterling signs a new five-year contract at Anfield just days after his 18th birthday. March 1, 2014 Sterling, now a key player for Liverpool as they challenged for the Premier League title, marks his 50th appearance for the club with a goal in a 3-0 victory at Southampton. May 6, 2014 A fine individual season sees Sterling scoop Liverpool's Young Player of the Season award, however the Reds are ultimately disappointed as they lose out in the title race to Manchester City. May 12, 2014 Hodgson names Sterling in his 23-man England squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. June 14, 2014 Rated as England's best player in their opening group match in Manaus as they go down 2-1 to Italy with Mario Balotelli grabbing the winner. August 17, 2014 Sterling starts the 2014-15 campaign with a bang by netting in Liverpool's first game of the season at home to Southampton. December 14, 2014 Reaches a century of games for the Reds having come in for criticism weeks earlier for asking to excused from an England fixture with Estonia due to fatigue. January 3, 2015 First reports emerge that Sterling is closing in on a new £100,000-a-week contract at Anfield February 9, 2015 Rodgers confirms Sterling has been made a 'wonderful' offer to stay at Liverpool but warned the club will not bow to excessive wage demands March 20, 2015 Liverpool put contract talks with Sterling on hold until the end of the season as Rodgers reveals the players' camp have made it clear he wants to concentrate on his football April 1, 2015 Sterling tells the BBC, in an interview unauthorised by Liverpool, that he has turned down the club's offer of a new contract but denies the move is motivated by money May 10, 2015 Sterling tells Rodgers he wants to leave Liverpool this summer before the Reds' 1-1 draw with champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and plans for showdown talks are scheduled May 21, 2015 Aidy Ward, Sterling's agent, reveals the player will reject any offer from Liverpool just 24 hours before crunch talks are set to take place between the two parties.