Chelsea step up plans to sign Raheem Sterling

Chelsea has taken a step in their pursuit of Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling by making contact with the Premier League Champions.

The Blues have been neither here nor there during this transfer window on the back of their takeover by American businessman Todd Boehly from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Irrespective, they have been heavily linked with a move for Raheem Sterling, who has a year left on his Manchester City contract.

Meanwhile, no official bid has been made by Chelsea for the 27-year-old forward, but the Stamford Bridge side is expected to make a bid anytime from now as they will be expected to get a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who will be joining Inter Milan on loan for the new season.

The English forward is keen on a move to a side where he will get playing time ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after Pep Guardiola brought in Norwegian striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and Julian Alvarez from Argentina.

If Chelsea successfully signs Sterling, he will become their first signing post-take-over.

Sterling joined from Liverpool in a £49m deal in 2015 and has 131 goals in 339 games for the Cityzens but saw his contributions to the team decline last season after Jack Grealish joined from Aston Villa.

Sterling played 30 Premier League games but scored 13 goals as City won the Premier League, Sterling’s fourth PL title and ninth major trophy in seven seasons with the club.

Since Pep Guardiola became Manchester City manager in 2015, only Sergio Aguero has scored more goals for Manchester City than Raheem Sterling.

While Sergio Aguero scored 124 goals for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, Raheem Sterling has 120 since the Spaniard took over.

It is left to be seen if Sterling will be wearing Chelsea’s Blue when they take on Everton in the Premier League opener next season in August.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu