There is a growing feeling around Manchester City that Raheem Sterling could do for Pep Guardiola what Lionel Messi did at Barcelona. And that is to be the talismanic force behind a Champions League triumph.

That is not to say the England international is ready to step into Messi’s shoes as the finest footballer on the planet. But such is his influence on a Man City side that have dominated in England, but flattered to deceive in Europe, he could be the difference when it comes to Guardiola finally proving he can win club football’s greatest prize without the assistance of a certain Argentine.

For that reason it was no surprise to hear the reaction from within the Etihad to reports of Real Madrid’s plans to prise Sterling away.

Ignore for a moment the package supposed to tempt City to the negotiating table.

A cash sum of £70m plus Gareth Bale on top would presumably mean Real value their 30-year-old, injury-hampered and out-of-favour Welshman at around £100m – which still wouldn’t make the deal in the slightest bit appealing to Guardiola or City.

The simple fact of the matter is, City are not a selling club – no matter who comes calling. And that includes Real, who have made a habit of bullying Manchester United out of their best players – be it David Beckham to Cristiano Ronaldo.

When it comes to City’s prize assets, Sterling may just be the most valuable of all. And that places him alongside Messi as the most unattainable player in world football right now.

Privately the notion of Real luring Sterling away was dismissed as ‘ridiculous’ within the Etihad.

Standard Sport understands the Spanish giants have no plans to launch a January move for the 24-year-old, but Real’s admiration for him is long-standing .

They watched intently as negotiations over a new contract became ever more protracted last season. They were ready to pounce if City failed to come up with the numbers to reward Sterling’s development as one of the few undroppables in Guardiola’s star-studded squad.

But with a new deal tying him to the club until 2023, he will only go on City’s terms.

Man City squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers 21 show all Man City squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers 1/21 We run you through Man City's squad for the 2019-20 season... AP 2/21 Claudio Bravo Squad Number: 1



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Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Manchester City 1/21 We run you through Man City's squad for the 2019-20 season... AP 2/21 Claudio Bravo Squad Number: 1



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Contract expires: 30/06/2022 REUTERS 19/21 Ederson Squad Number: 31



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Contract expires: 30/06/2025 REUTERS 20/21 Phil Foden Squad Number: 47



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Contract expires: 30/06/2024 AFP/Getty Images 21/21 Angelino Squad Number: 69



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Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Manchester City

Ever wondered why Real never launched moves for the likes of Sergio Aguero or David Silva?

Why Kevin de Bruyne hasn’t crossed their radar?

This is the club that lured Luis Figo from their fiercest rivals Barcelona.

The club that consistently lands the shiniest stars – Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, both Ronaldos and most recently Eden Hazard.

It’s the club that won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.

And yet the Etihad has been a no-go zone for the past decade.

Privately City sources say Europe’s giants know it’s not even worth approaching them for their best players – they simply won’t sell.

They don’t have to.

Abu Dhabi riches have made them impervious to the type of market forces that meant even Barca had to bid farewell Neymar when Paris Saint-Germain made him the most expensive player in history.

And even Real took the money on offer when Juventus swooped for Ronaldo.

The traditional elite of the Premier League all have their price, too.

United lost Beckham and Ronaldo.

Liverpool were powerless to stop Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho when the Camp Nou beckoned.

The players Real Madrid hope Zidane can lure to the Bernabeu 6 show all The players Real Madrid hope Zidane can lure to the Bernabeu 1/6 Real Madrid hope Zinedine Zidane’s return can lure some of football’s biggest names to the Bernabeu. 2/6 Eden Hazard Deal complete Getty Images 3/6 Paul Pogba Man Utd



Real Madrid were interested in Pogba while he was at Juventus, but were put off by the Italians' high asking price for the midfielder. The 26-year-old has admitted that playing for Los Blancos and Zidane would be “a dream”, but he would still be expensive now and Real would be more inclined to spend big on forward players this summer. Getty Images 4/6 Sadio Mane Liverpool



Zinedine Zidane wanted to bring in the Liverpool forward last year, but he ended up leaving Real Madrid. Now that he is back, the Senegal winger is one of his top targets as the club seek to reshape their attack this summer. Getty Images 5/6 Kylian Mbappe PSG



Real Madrid were unable to put together a financial package to sign the France forward from Monaco in 2017 and he moved to Paris Saint-Germain instead. He is the club’s top target this summer, although PSG will be in no mood to sell their 20-year-old World Cup winner. AFP/Getty Images 6/6 N'Golo Kante Chelsea



Real Madrid’s midfield is in need of some rejuvenation and renovation with Luka Modric set to turn 34 in September and Toni Kroos possibly departing in the summer. Zidane admires Kante, but he is happy at Chelsea and looks unlikely to leave Stamford Bridge at this point in time. AP 1/6 Real Madrid hope Zinedine Zidane’s return can lure some of football’s biggest names to the Bernabeu. 2/6 Eden Hazard Deal complete Getty Images 3/6 Paul Pogba Man Utd



Real Madrid were interested in Pogba while he was at Juventus, but were put off by the Italians' high asking price for the midfielder. The 26-year-old has admitted that playing for Los Blancos and Zidane would be “a dream”, but he would still be expensive now and Real would be more inclined to spend big on forward players this summer. Getty Images 4/6 Sadio Mane Liverpool



Zinedine Zidane wanted to bring in the Liverpool forward last year, but he ended up leaving Real Madrid. Now that he is back, the Senegal winger is one of his top targets as the club seek to reshape their attack this summer. Getty Images 5/6 Kylian Mbappe PSG



Real Madrid were unable to put together a financial package to sign the France forward from Monaco in 2017 and he moved to Paris Saint-Germain instead. He is the club’s top target this summer, although PSG will be in no mood to sell their 20-year-old World Cup winner. AFP/Getty Images 6/6 N'Golo Kante Chelsea



Real Madrid’s midfield is in need of some rejuvenation and renovation with Luka Modric set to turn 34 in September and Toni Kroos possibly departing in the summer. Zidane admires Kante, but he is happy at Chelsea and looks unlikely to leave Stamford Bridge at this point in time. AP

Chelsea hung on for as long as possible before accepting the inevitable with Hazard, while Arsenal have been selling off their crown jewels for as long as anyone can remember.

By contrast City were prepared to let Carlos Tevez rot, rather than sell up against their will.

Yaya Toure’s future felt like an annual saga at times, yet the Ivorian remained at the Etihad right up until the point it was decided he was surplus to requirements.

Leroy Sane may well prove the exception – but the fact the German has entered the final two years of his contract is proving a major factor behind a potential move to Bayern Munich.

Even still, City are demanding £137m for the winger if he is to leave before the end of his deal.

Sterling, on the other hand, is simply priceless.