Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling has reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea over a summer move.
According to Italian football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Raheem Sterling has agreed on personal terms with Chelsea as he nears a summer move to Stamford Bridge. The Manchester City forward will be among the west London club’s best-paid players and form a crucial component of Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the upcoming season.
Chelsea have long been admirers of Sterling, who had fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad in the recently-concluded season. The arrival of Erling Haaland will further limit the England international’s game-time, and he is thus keen on leaving Manchester City.
Sterling joined Manchester City in the 2015 summer transfer window and has since made 337 appearances for them, scoring 131 times and assisting 94 goals. He has won four Premier League titles with them, on top of five EFL Cups and an FA Cup. Even though he was not a regular starter for Pep Guardiola’s side in the recently-concluded season, he still scored 17 goals in 41 outings for them.
With just a year remaining on his Manchester City contract, Sterling chose against signing an extension and is now set to depart from the Etihad, with Chelsea emerging as a possible destination. The Blues reportedly agreed on a move with Sterling ‘weeks ago’ following Tuchel’s one-to-one discussion with the 27-year-old.
Raheem Sterling accepted Chelsea as future destination weeks ago after direct talk with Tuchel – and personal terms fully agreed, he’ll be among best paid players. ?? #CFC
Chelsea and City, set to agree final fee around £45m and then it will be completed. pic.twitter.com/he08wImBKH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 6, 2022
The transfer fee being reported is around £45 million, and the discussions between Chelsea and Manchester City are believed to be in the final stage. It seems only a matter of time before Sterling completes his move to Stamford Bridge.
He is expected to be among the first names on the team sheet following Romelu Lukaku’s loan move to Inter Milan, especially with Timo Werner linked with a departure as well. Chelsea might still need to sign an out-and-out striker and are linked with Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Central defence is another area on top of their priority, and the Blues are reportedly closing in on a deal for Manchester City defender Nathan Ake. Talks over a possible move for Matthijs de Ligt are underway as well, but Bayern Munich are also pursuing the Dutchman.
