Chelsea want to sign Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling this summer.
Thomas Tuchel is a big admirer of the winger, who is out of contract next summer. The Blues boss believes Sterling is better suited to Chelsea’s style of play compared to Romelu Lukaku, who is likely to go out on loan to former club Inter Milan.
Sky Sports News understands it would require a transfer fee close to £60m for a deal to be done during this transfer window.
Sky in Italy are reporting that Chelsea are confident of signing Sterling this summer, reporting a potential £35m offer for the player.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sterling scored a perfect hat-trick against Norwich City back in February
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 has family connections in London
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mark McAdam says Chelsea would need to offer Manchester City around £60m for a deal for Raheem Sterling to be completed this summer.
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.
Sterling has not always been a regular under Pep Guardiola
“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.”
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this summer before the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1?
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.