Rival club make signing Manchester City star their priority this summer

Raheem Sterling Manchester City Chelsea
Photo: Getty images

Premier League rivals Chelsea have made signing Raheem Sterling their priority for the summer transfer window, according to CBS’s Ben Jacobs.

Sterling has entered the final 12 months of his Manchester City contract, and is expected to depart the Etihad this summer, following the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

Manchester City are said to be hoping to receive an opening bid from Chelsea for Raheem Sterling, who has been assured of game time at Stamford Bridge.

The reigning champions of England are also believed to be open to the idea of selling the pacy attacker to Chelsea.

Manchester City have placed a £50 million valuation on Sterling, and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is believed to be a huge admirer of the Englishman.

Sterling has previously spoken about his desire to play abroad but it now seems that Chelsea is his likely next destination.

Speaking recently to GiveMeSport, Jacobs said of Sterling: “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.

“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.”