Chelsea have identified Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling as their ‘number one attacking priority’ this summer, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.
The 27-year-old only has 12 months remaining on his current contract and is expected to depart the Etihad Stadium following the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
What is the latest news involving Sterling?
A recent report from Sky Sports revealed that City are expecting an opening offer from Chelsea for Sterling after he received reassurances from Thomas Tuchel.
It’s claimed that the reigning Premier League champions will not prevent the England international from departing the club as he searches for increased game time elsewhere.
City will reportedly accept offers in the region of £50 million for Sterling and Tuchel has placed him at the top of his wish list when it comes to attacking targets.
The versatile forward has previously admitted that he would be open to a move abroad, yet it seems as though he is set to make the switch to Stamford Bridge over the coming days.
What has Jacobs said about Sterling?
In an interview with GiveMeSport, Jacobs said: “Sterling is Chelsea's number one attacking priority. I think the clubs are very close now to agreeing a fee. The starting point for Chelsea was more a comparison with Sadio Mane.
“So £30-35 million, whereas Manchester City originally, as you expect in these negotiations, priced Sterling at £60 million.
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“Now there's a compromise, and the fee will be somewhere between £45 million and £50 million plus add-ons, and I think that the club perspective at City and Chelsea is that they're perfectly happy to proceed with that deal.
“So, there's a real confidence and feeling now from both Chelsea and Manchester City that Raheem Sterling to Chelsea will get done.”
Where would Sterling fit in at Chelsea?
Despite finishing the Premier League season in third place while also reaching the final of both domestic cup competitions, Chelsea’s attack looked rather blunt on several occasions throughout 2021/22.
Romelu Lukaku, who has re-joined Inter Milan on loan, was the capital club’s top scorer last term with a modest total of 15 goals, a tally Sterling bettered by two despite playing out wide.
It’s likely that Sterling, who Frank Lampard labelled "world-class", would take up residency on the left wing should he complete the move to Chelsea, knocking the likes of Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic down Tuchel’s pecking order.