Chelsea poised to table bid for Raheem Sterling to kickstart summer spree

Chelsea are preparing an opening bid for Raheem Sterling after Todd Boehly, the club’s new co-owner, told Manchester City of his intention to sign the England forward.

Thomas Tuchel wants to increase his side’s goalscoring threat and Chelsea, who saw Petr Cech leave his role as their technical and performance adviser yesterday, intend to give their manager the funds to strengthen his squad this summer. Tuchel has identified Sterling as a key target and Boehly, who is leading the club’s recruitment drive, has contacted City to open talks over the 27-year-old.

Related: Chelsea to step up Sterling bid as Manchester City expect player to leave

There is a willingness on all sides to make sure a deal is done. Sterling, who has a year left on his contract, has been reviewing his options since the end of the season and City do not expect him to be their player next season. It is thought that between £50m and £60m would be enough for City to sell Sterling, who has received assurances from Tuchel that he will be a regular starter at Chelsea.

The positive nature of Tuchel’s discussions with the former Liverpool forward have raised confidence that he will kickstart Chelsea’s spending under the Boehly-Clearlake consortium. Chelsea are yet to agree personal terms with Sterling, but they are determined to sign him.

Sterling’s appeal to Tuchel is obvious. Chelsea, who are also talking to Juventus about the Netherlands centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, are planning a revamp of their attack after allowing Romelu Lukaku to join Internazionale on loan and want to improve their edge in the final third. Sterling, who has scored 131 goals since joining City in 2015, would represent an upgrade on many of Tuchel’s current options.

Sterling has won