Chelsea agree personal terms with Raheem Sterling over Man City transfer

Raheem Sterling has agreed personal terms with Chelsea as the England forward closes in on a stunning move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are now hoping to finalise a fee with Manchester City in the next 24 hours in time for Sterling to join up with Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the start of their pre-season tour of America this weekend and become the club’s flagship first signing under new owner Todd Boehly.

Chelsea’s talks with City and Sterling have been going on concurrently and the 27-year-old is expected to cost a fee similar to the £45 million that Arsenal have just paid for Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus, who had also entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium. 

Barring any unforeseen complications, Chelsea are hoping Sterling will be in a position to fly with their squad to the US on Saturday ahead of matches against Club America in Las Vegas, Charlotte FC in Charlotte and Arsenal in Orlando.

With Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku - who earns £325,000 a week at Chelsea - having left on loan for Inter Milan this summer, Sterling is due to become the highest paid player at the club this season after being awarded a small uplift on his £300,000 a week deal with City. Midfielder N’Golo Kante is Chelsea’s next highest earner on £290,000 a week.

The move has been driven by Sterling’s desire to play all the time. Once a guaranteed starter under Pep Guardiola, Sterling has found himself in and out of the City team over the past 18 months and has been eager for more regular football at a club that can still compete for the biggest trophies and give him the platform to realise his ambitions.

Sterling was impressed by Tuchel’s plans and ambitions for him during very constructive talks with the Chelsea manager and