Sven-Goran Eriksson has urged Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne to stay at Manchester City and resist the temptation of Real Madrid.
City this week made their case in an appeal against a two-year ban from UEFA competition, after being found to have breached Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
The outcome of that challenge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport is reportedly not expected until July, by which time City's reign as Premier League champions is likely to have been ended by Liverpool.
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If City are forced to miss two Champions League campaigns, such a blow could tempt their top players to look elsewhere.