Raheem Sterling is ‘excited’ to join Chelsea this summer as his move from Manchester City gets closer to completion, according to reports.
Since the beginning of the transfer window the 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge, having come to the end of his seventh season up north.
He has won ten honours during his time at City including four Premier League titles, with the most recent one being won in dramatic fashion on the final day of the season.
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Having previously held positive talks with Thomas Tuchel over a move this summer, it now appears that such a transfer is close to completion.
The winger will come in as part of an attacking refresh at Chelsea, with some of their current options in the forward positions struggling at times last season.
According to the Independent, Sterling is ‘excited’ about a move to Stamford Bridge and is ‘comfortable’ with the terms that have been proposed at the club.
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Chelsea are now believed to be ‘down to the final details’ of the move, with a deal said to cost around £45 million, as well as a potential £10 million worth of add-ons.
Sterling is set to join his new side on their pre-season tour in the USA, with the Blues jetting off to the states on Saturday as they prepare to face Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal.
The England international will sign a four-year-deal at his new club and could be the first signing of their new era, with Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital now at the helm as the Blues’ new owners.
Tuchel’s side are also keen on signing new defensive options this summer, with Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt emerging as one of their top targets.
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However the aforementioned report has revealed that the Dutchman would prefer to move to Bayern Munich this summer, with German football said to be more suited to his style of play.
Despite this, Chelsea are still in the race for the 22-year-old, especially considering Bayern currently do not want to pay the fee demanded by Juventus for their defender, which is said to be over £60 million.
The Blues have been ‘preparing alternatives’ should they not sign de Ligt, with City star Nathan Ake being another player on their list of targets.
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It is thought that Chelsea’s discussions for the centre-back, who has previously made 17 appearances for the club, are more advanced than those for de Ligt, meaning they could sign two players from one of their Premier League rivals this summer.
Topics: Raheem Sterling, Chelsea, Manchester City, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Transfers