Raheem Sterling could become a Chelsea player as soon as this week after new owner Todd Boehly contacted Manchester City to speed up a deal for the first statement signing of a new era at Stamford Bridge.
Despite reports last week saying that Chelsea had already bid for the England internationa l, there had been no formal approach. And Boehly is so keen on making the deal efficient and polished, he contacted City bosses on Monday to ask for their valuation rather than risk days of public offers being batted back and forth between the pair.
It's understood the development comes after Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel spoke to Sterling to convince him of his integral place to the plans in West London — essentially making the City star's mind up about where he wants to play his football next season. An offer of at least £50m will be needed to sign Sterling — and could be significantly higher given the £45m City are getting for Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal — but City will respect Sterling's wish for a new challenge and are likely to be encouraged by Boehly's approach.
Also read: Jesus' six best Man City games that show Arsenal what they'd get
If and when a bid is accepted, the transfer is expected to happen quickly; Boehly is as keen to get the ball rolling on his time in charge of Chelsea as Tuchel is to begin pre-season on July 8 with as full a squad as possible. As previously reported, City and Sterling were always planning on a speedy resolution.
Should he leave, Sterling will go down as one of City's greatest ever players. The former Liverpool star is just five assists away from becoming the first player in the club's history to manage both 100 goals and assists (he has 131 goals) and has been integral to City winning four of the last five Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola.
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