Exclusive: Chelsea interested in Raheem Sterling with Manchester City exit possible

Europe’s top clubs believe Raheem Sterling is ready to leave Manchester City this summer, with Chelsea among those weighing up a bid.

Sterling has one year remaining on his City contract and, although the England international is yet to indicate his intention over his future, there is a growing feeling among top clubs that he will consider a move away.

That has already attracted interest from around Europe, with Chelsea understood to be the English club displaying the greatest interest so far and Real Madrid keeping an interested eye on the situation.

Barcelona also retain an interest having enquired about Sterling last summer and he is thought to be one of a number of alternative options Bayern Munich have in mind in the event they fail to get a deal for Liverpool’s Sadio Mane over the line.

Sterling admitted last October that he could be forced to leave City if his playing time did not improve and put talks over his future on hold until the end of the season to see if the situation improved. Any decision over his future is likely to be governed by playing time and his desire to have a leading role in a team that can compete for the biggest trophies.

He started 23 of City’s 38 Premier League games but he was left out of the starting XI for some of the club’s biggest matches, including both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, and is desperate to be a first choice starter. 

Sterling has previously claimed that he would be open to the prospect of playing overseas, but it is believed an offer from Chelsea would also be attractive to him and offer the chance to return to London, where he grew up.

While signing defenders is Chelsea’s number one priority this summer, head coach Thomas Tuchel is acutely