Zinedine Zidane refuses to rule out transfer swoop for ‘very good’ Man City star Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling is likely to the the hottest transfer target if Man City's two-year Champions League ban is upheld Credit: Getty Images - Getty

ZINEDINE ZIDANE has hailed £180million Real Madrid target Raheem Sterling as "very good" - but refused to be drawn further.

Sterling earlier posed with a Real top as he praised the "fantastic" Spanish giants, days after SunSport revealed Los Blancos were plotting a summer swoop even BEFORE City's two-year ban from European competitions.

But with Etihad chiefs set to appeal over their suspension and Real anxious not to inflame the situation, their manager Zidane said: "I can't talk about a player who isn't mine.

"He's a very good player, no doubt about that."

Sterling is top of the suspects to go should City's ban be upheld and huge offers flood in.

And the England attacker, 25, told Spain's AS: "Right now I'm at City and I'm really happy.

STERLING'S A REAL ADMIRER

"But I say Real Madrid are a fantastic club, when you see the white shirt you know exactly what the club stands for, it's massive.

"But at the same time, I have a contract with City now and I have to respect this. But it's a fantastic club."

City visit Real in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, with the Etihad return on March 17.

And while Sterling has won two Premier League crowns with City, neither he nor they has ever won Europe's top club tournament.

In contrast, Real have triumphed a record 13 times, including three straight successes in Zidane's first stint as manager.

Sterling said of the French legend: "To win the Champions League so many times especially in a row as well is very difficult.

"I don't think that's luck, it's definitely a formula. Some people have that winning mentality and he wins by any means."