Report: Chelsea engaged in a four-way battle for highly-rated Englishman

Chelsea engaged in a transfer tussle with Barcelona for Manchester City star Raheem Sterling

According to The Telegraph (Subscription Required), Chelsea are currently engaged in a tussle with Barcelona to facilitate a transfer for Manchester City star Raheem Sterling this summer. The interested parties believe that he will leave Etihad ahead of the next season, giving them a chance to try their cards to sign him.

Sterling is in line to enter the final year of his current contract with Man City in the summer transfer window. The Blues are considering putting in a bid for him, having displayed the greatest interest in England. However, they are not alone in this pursuit, with Barca still keeping tabs on him, having enquired about his availability last summer.

Real Madrid are monitoring the Englishman’s situation, while Bayern Munich are also in the fray as they view him as an alternative for Liverpool star Sadio Mane. While the winger remains undecided on his future, it is thought that he could leave the Citizens as he wants a more prominent role moving forward.

Sterling, a summer signing?

While the defence remains a priority because of the exodus, the forward areas also must be bolstered, looking at the struggles we underwent last season. We have lacked players who have been dependable on the frontline, which calls for the need to replace some of them with quality reinforcements.

Sterling can be that man as he has been quite decisive for Pep Guardiola’s side despite not being a regular starter in the previous campaign. However, if the West Londoners are to sign him, then it would be wise to offload some of their underperforming stars to recoup some money, which could be used to secure the forward’s services.

It is stated that the 27-year-old will cost between £50million and £60million despite his contract expiring in 2023. That is not ideal at all, so we must haggle and bring down the valuation to something more reasonable. Even if we overcome that problem, there are several other obstacles in our pathway, making this a difficult pursuit indeed.

That is because Pep’s side would much rather see the Citizens attacker leave England instead of joining a direct rival like us. That is quite a major concern since the likes of Barca, Real, and Bayern are options for the winger as of now.

Sterling is very much known for his versatility to play anywhere on the frontline with flying colours. That means he could have a more prominent role with us, considering how Thomas Tuchel’s side is open to selling the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech this summer.

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Sterling’s directness in attack is there for all to see. The way he gets to the byline for Man City and creates havoc at the edge of the box is a thing to admire. Not just that, the Englishman gets into dangerous positions inside the box as well.

A prevent talent at Liverpool and now Man City, Chelsea would be wise to go all out for a homegrown talent in Sterling who would certainly make our attack more potent.