Raheem Sterling has agreed personal terms ahead of completing his £45million move to Chelsea.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel beat off interest from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain AND Liverpool for the Manchester City star. Tuchel’s personal touch and detailed conversations convinced Sterling to join Chelsea to help further his career even though City made it clear they wanted him to stay.
Sterling, 27, leaves City on good terms after frank discussions with Pep Guardiola as he said he wanted to move to get more regular football and further his personal ambition. The deal will now go through quickly and in time for Sterling to fly out to the United States on Chelsea’s tour as they have begun pre-season training this week.
England forward Sterling sees it as the most important contract of his career as he is at his peak, was on £300,000-a-week at City but Chelsea offered improved terms as they were desperate to get their man.
It is a major coup for Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly as getting such a stellar name is a major statement from the US tycoon. They have been in pole position since it became clear that City might be tempted to sell and Sterling was open to a move.
It would have been a remarkable return to Anfield for Sterling who joined City from Liverpool in 2015 and it remains to be seen how concrete their interest was but there is no doubt that Europe’s elite were all keen.
Barcelona tried to get him on loan in January while Real Madrid have pushed hard in the past few weeks but Chelsea represents a return to London and a chance to further his career.
Sterling is seen by Chelsea as a strong leader and the player himself was frustrated by not starting in City’s biggest games at the end of the season.
It is a move fuelled by his ambition to play and improve himself, even setting his sights on one day being a Ballon D’Or winner having previously been shortlisted for the award.
Sterling is determined to push himself also for England where he has become a key man for Gareth Southgate ahead of the World Cup this winter.
Sterling has enjoyed seven successful years at City, winning the title four times, the FA Cup and the League Cup a total of four times.
