Chelsea are preparing a first offer for Raheem Sterling after Todd Boehly, the club’s new co-owner, says Manchester City of his intention to sign the England striker.
Thomas Tuchel wants to increase the goal threat of his team and Chelsea, who have seen Petr Cech leaves his role Like yesterday, his technical and performance advisor intends to give his coach the necessary funds to strengthen his workforce this summer. Tuchel has identified Sterling as a key target and Boehly, who is leading the club’s recruitment campaign, has contacted City to open talks over the 27-year-old.
There is a desire on all sides to ensure that an agreement is reached. Sterling, who has a year left on his contract, has been considering his options since the end of the season and City do not expect him to be their player next season. It is believed that between £50m and £60m would be enough for City to sell Sterling, who have received assurances from Tuchel that he will be a regular starter at Chelsea.
The positive nature of Tuchel’s talks with the former Liverpool striker has boosted confidence that he will increase Chelsea’s spending as part of the Boehly-Clearlake consortium. Chelsea have yet to reach an agreement on personal terms with Sterling, but they are determined to sign him.
Sterling’s appeal to Tuchel is obvious. Chelsea, who are also talking to Juventus about Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, plan to renew their attack after clearing Romelu Lukaku joins Inter on loan and wants to improve his advantage in the final third. Sterling, who has scored 131 goals since joining City in 2015, would represent an upgrade on many of Tuchel’s current options.
Sterling won the Premier League title four times at City. However, Pep Guardiola has thrown him off the bench in several of City’s biggest games over the past two seasons and the player faces increased competition for his position after the Erling Haaland Arrivals Oui Julian Alvarez in Manchester, opening the door for Chelsea to move.
Chelsea, who could allow Hakim Ziyech to join Milan on loan, are unlikely to replace Lukaku with a No.9. They are looking for versatile players who can bring in goals from away. They are watching Everton’s Richarlison, who is a target for Tottenham, and Leeds United’s Raphinha, who is being courted by Arsenal.
Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé is another target for Tuchel. The French winger is out of contract and is increasingly likely to move this summer. Dembélé held talks with Barça on Monday, in the presence of the club’s coach, Xavi Hernández, but the club cannot increase their offer at the moment. The 25-year-old, who played for Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, is eager to make a decision on his future soon. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will decide to meet their wage demands.
Chelsea are also looking to strengthen their central defense following the departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rüdiger. They chased Sevilla’s Jules Koundé, but the French defender disappeared from their list. Chelsea are now focused on a big-money transfer for De Ligt who is unlikely to extend his contract with Juve. City’s Nathan Aké, who could replace Rüdiger at Tuchel’s left-back, is also on Chelsea’s shortlist.
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