Chelsea will step up attempts to rebuild their attack after reaching an agreement to let Romelu Lukaku return to Inter Milan on loan for just £7million.
New owner Todd Boehly has facilitated an astonishing season-long deal for the player who cost Chelsea a club-record £97.5m fee only last summer.
Lukaku is expected to finalise his return to Inter next week and Chelsea now plan to ramp up their transfer activity as they decide how best to replace him, with up to £200m expected to be available to spend this summer.
The Blues are lining up a move for Raheem Sterling from a list of targets which also includes Ousmane Dembele and Richarlison. They have also shown some interest in Raphinha.
There is also interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid in Sterling, who has just one year left on his contract at Manchester City and is considering his future.
Sterling is thought to have been offered a new contract by City but wants to weigh up his options and what plans Pep Guardiola has for him at the Etihad Stadium.
The 27-year-old wants to be viewed as a key player and regular starter as he reaches his peak and City have increased their attacking options by signing Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and Julian Alvarez from River Plate.
Sterling could be the first marquee signing of the new era at Chelsea under Boehly. City could demand £60m for the England international, who is said to be open to the idea of returning to London.
