Raheem Sterling is open to the idea of joining Chelsea from Manchester City this summer window with the Premier League champions ready to cash in on one of their prize assets.
The England star has just under 12 months left on his current contract and talks over a new contract have stalled.
Sterling spoke midway through last campaign about his desire to play abroad at some stage in his career and is coveted by Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona.
‘As an English player, all you know is the Premier League. I always thought I would love to play abroad and see how I could handle that challenge,’ said Sterling back in November.
The former Liverpool star has played a vital role in the domestic dominance City have enjoyed under Pep Guaridola and it was his contribution, that helped kickstart the comeback against Aston Villa on the last day of last season, which culminated in a fourth Premier League title in five years.
Sterling, however, was far from a regular starter during the second half of last campaign and will refuse to settle for a similar role next season where competition for places in City’s attack will increase due to the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
According to The Telegraph, City would prefer to sell Sterling to foreign team but, given they would hope to recoup around £60m, Chelsea appear to be in pole position and are ready to test the waters with an opening offer.
Chelsea will hand Thomas Tuchel a decisive say in their transfer dealing this summer and the new owners will arm their manager with a £200m warchest.
Tuchel is set to now make decision on the futures of wide players Christian Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech, as well as Romelu Lukaku.
Sterling is far from the only winger on Chelsea’s radar, however, with Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele and RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku also under consideration.
