Raheem Sterling closes on decision as Man City wait for Chelsea transfer bid

Manchester City can expect to know from Raheem Sterling about his future before their pre-season tour as the England international nears a decision on where he will be playing his football next season.

Sterling, 27, has two years left on his current deal at the Etihad and has had conversations with the club about continuing at a place where he has been integral to the team winning four Premier League titles in five years and establishing themselves as the dominant force in English football. However, Pep Guardiola cannot offer Sterling any guarantees over playing time given the ferociously-competitive nature of the squad and City bosses have left the player to decide for himself if he still feels they can offer him what he wants.

Chelsea want to provide an alternative and make Sterling a signature signing for their new ownership, offering Thomas Tuchel a very different option to Romelu Lukaku - who has been allowed to leave on loan just a year after a £97.5m move from Inter Milan. The 2021 Champions League winners are one of the few clubs both to appeal to the player and to have the financial power to sign him, although it is understood there has not yet been an approach to Sterling or to City to firm up the interest and put them as frontrunners to sign him.

Also read: Chelsea changes play into Man City and Liverpool hands for next season

While he has been given time to make his mind up, Sterling and City are keen for a swift decision that would enable both parties to crack on with plans and make the most of a rare pre-season that doesn't feature an international tournament. City players are expected back in Manchester early next month and Sterling's intentions are expected to have been delivered before the squad