Mueez Ajao
– Chelsea have agreed a fee with Manchester City for England winger Raheem Sterling.
– The deal is worth up to £50m including add-ons and Sterling is set to arrive at Stamford Bridge on a five-year contract with an option of further year.
– Sterling will need to complete a medical before the deal is announced.
Also Read: Sterling agrees personal terms with Chelsea
– The 27-year-old has one year left on his contract at City and had attracted interest from major clubs overseas.
– City signed Sterling from Liverpool in a £49m deal in 2015 and he went on to score 131 goals in 339 games.
– Should the deal be completed, Sterling – who has 77 England caps – will become Chelsea’s first major signing since they were taken over by a consortium led by Todd Boehly this summer.
Raheem Sterling to Chelsea, here we go! Final approval arrived from Man City. £45m fee plus £10m add-ons. Personal terms agreed days ago, it was never an issue. It’s done 🚨🔵 #CFC
Contract until 2027 plus option for further year. Tuchel already had direct conversation with him. pic.twitter.com/tr15HUp2B1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2022
– It is expected the deal will be done in time for Sterling to link up with the Chelsea squad before they leave for their pre-season tour to the United States next week.
– Decisions by all parties have been amicable but Sterling wants a fresh challenge and was impressed by Blues manager Thomas Tuchel’s vision and the role outlined to him.
– Other major clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were also interested in Sterling but the player was swayed by Chelsea’s public and privately stated desire to sign him.
– City wanted Sterling to stay and he has no ill feeling towards the club or manager Pep Guardiola.
– However, he views this as the most important contract of his career and wants to play a pivotal role at a club challenging for all the major honours.
– Sterling still has team and professional targets he wants to fulfil, including winning the Ballon D’Or.
– Apart from Manchester United players, only John Terry and former City team-mate Fernandinho have won more than his four Premier League titles but he is still to win a Champions League.
– Sterling instigated the conversation about his future with City and it is understood he appreciates the space he has been given to make his decision.
