Wayne Lumbasi
Raheem Sterling has agreed personal terms with Chelsea ahead of a move from Manchester City. Chelsea and City are believed to have agreed terms on a deal worth an initial $54 million. The move will be City’s second sale of a high-profile forward to a Premier League rival this summer, having seen Gabriel Jesus join Arsenal.
Chelsea will hope to complete the move before they fly to the United States on Saturday, where they will play Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal. It is believed Sterling’s decision to leave the Premier League champions after seven years stems from his desire to play more regularly and the promise of a new challenge.
The signings of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez this summer, as well as Jack Grealish last term have seen Sterling’s hopes of nailing down a regular starting spot dwindle. He joined City from Liverpool in July 2015 and has gone on to win four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three League Cups.
The deal would be a major boost for Thomas Tuchel, who has held constructive talks with Sterling about where he plans to use him. Chelsea lacked ruthlessness last season and needs additions in attack after allowing Romelu Lukaku to return to Internazionale on loan.
Sterling will depart Manchester a four-time champion of England with a record of 131 goals in 339 appearances for City. His current contract had been due to expire at the end of the upcoming season and he has been used more sparingly by Guardiola this season, appearing in only 23 Premier League games in 2021-22.
