Chelsea
are confident they can sign Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling this
summer, as long as a fee can be agreed with the Premier League champions for
the player.
Thomas Tuchel is a big admirer of Sterling, with the Blues boss believing
the forward is better suited to Chelsea's style of play than Romelu Lukaku,
who is set to go out on loan back to former club Inter Milan next season.
However, City are understood to value Sterling at up to £60m, even though
the player only has one year left on his contract at the Etihad.
Chelsea, meanwhile, believe a fairer price would be closer to the £35m which
Bayern Munich could end up paying for Liverpool forward Sadio Mane.
Mane also has just 12 months left on his deal at Anfield, but at 30 is two
years and eight months older than Sterling.
Sky in Italy have reported a £35m offer from Chelsea for Sterling.
Sterling has won four Premier League titles, four League Cups and the FA Cup
at City, after joining the club in the summer of 2015.
The 27-year-old has played 339 times for the current top-flight champions,
scoring 131 goals - just outside the top ten in the club's all-time
goalscorers list.
But a guaranteed starting spot has not always been provided for Sterling
under Pep Guardiola. The England winger started just five out of a possible
12 Champions League games this season and was unused by City's Spanish
manager nine times in the Premier League last term.
Sterling started his career at Chelsea's west London rivals Queens Park
Rangers, before moving to Liverpool when he was 15.
Sterling has family connections in London
Sky Sports News reporter Mark McAdam:
"Chelsea fans have been getting worried about a lack of transfer activity
compared to their rivals - Todd Boehly and the new Chelsea ownership could
be making a huge statement here.
"Raheem Sterling wants to play football. He wants to be a part of things.
He's been a huge part of what Manchester City have done, winning four
Premier League titles, four League Cups and the FA Cup and a Champions
League runner-up medal as well. He's been a huge part of their success
story, as well as 77 England caps.
"We all know the World Cup is coming up in November and December and while
Sterling has not been a huge part of City's starting XI in the last season,
it's that guaranteed football that is going to be of interest to Gareth
Southgate and Sterling.
"There's a nice story in here as well. We know Sterling started his career
in the Queen's Park Rangers academy in west London. He grew up in the shadow
of the Wembley Stadium arch and spent a lot of time in London before he went
up to Liverpool.
"He has that family connection and history down in London. That will be a
big factor in this situation. Chelsea are big players in the Premier League
and have won lots of trophies. That's what Sterling wants to do: play at the
highest level. He wouldn't just be coming home, but he'd be part of a
successful team under new owners, who want to carry on winning things. This
is going to be a fascinating story that will play out over the summer, but
the first moves have been happening today."
Sterling to Chelsea? Your views...
Jetsdad: Absolutely madness if City sold him to potential title rivals it
could really bite them in the backside. Why is he so out of favour?
Pierre: I'd rather take Dembele for free and not Sterling even if he's a
proven player and could do a deal. Our transfer budget should prioritise
defence
Jack lowe: Sterling to Chelsea? Good deal, 27 experienced winger. Scores
goals. But not for 60 million. In that case I'd rather Dembele who is
younger and would cost very little compared to sterling
Benjy: As a Chelsea Fan, for me sterling is a no-brainer, there not many
prem proven ayers around who are available, he guarantees a healthy amount
of goals and a more reliable option than our current crop off attackers.
Ollie: Makes sense all round, no club would turn down a fit and firing
Sterling and Sterling needs games to cement his place in the WC starting XI
with all the young talent coming up behind him.
Callum: It would be a big mistake, City selling Sterling to Chelsea. It
weakens them and strengthens one of their rivals. I'd have him back at
Liverpool to replace mane but I think most fans wouldn't accept him. He left
on very bad terms but you can imagine what Jurgen Klopp could do.
Andy: Premier League proven, a leader and more consistent finisher than what
Chelsea have now, Providing the fee is below £50m its worth it but anything
more is another expensive gamble
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