Real Madrid could be keen on signing Raheem Sterling if the conditions are right, according to Zinedine Zidane.

Sterling has apparenly rejected a £100,000 per week deal to remain at Anfield. "We know who Raheem Sterling is, and of course we are monitoring him as a player," Zidane is quoted as saying by various media reports.

The England winger has scored six times this season, but has intimated that he wants more money before he will commit to a new deal with Brendan Rodgers' side.

An interview with the BBC on Friday has prompted plenty of unhappiness among the Liverpool board and the club's supporter base raising the possibility that the 20-year-old could be sold this summer.

Now it appears Madrid may benefit from the uncertainty over Sterling's future with Bernabeu assistant coach Zidane - who may yet succeed Carlo Ancelotti as Real manager next season - claiming the European giants are studying the prospect of a bid. Madrid have come across Sterling during their matches with Liverpool in the Champions League group stage this season.

Zidane said: "There are very few players in the world who can improve the Real Madrid squad, so it is going to make sense we monitor the progress of the best young players in the world.

"We monitored (Gareth) Bale for over a year, the same with Isco and also (Raphael) Varane.

"We monitor many of the best young players in Europe, then if we feel they have something to offer Real Madrid we will contact their club and try and make the next step."

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