Raheem Sterling is set to become Chelsea's highest paid player in the current squad after agreeing personal terms as a transfer from Manchester City nears, according to reports.
The 27-year-old has been given the green light to leave Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions and is closing in on a move down south to Stamford Bridge.
Sterling was wanted by Thomas Tuchel to improve his attack next season as the club saw Romelu Lukaku leave after just one season to return to Inter Milan on loan for the 2022/23 season.
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After talks with Sterling, Tuchel is set to get his man as they look to strike an agreement before their upcoming pre-season tour of the United States.
They have made a major breakthrough in negotiations, as reported by The Telegraph, after agreeing terms with the England international which leaves only a transfer fee needing to be agreed between the two clubs.
Chelsea are hoping to finalise a fee with Man City in the next 24 hours to finalise the transfer which they hope to confirm before Saturday to allow Sterling to join his teammates on the plane across the Atlantic.
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Sterling will now become the club's highest paid player in the squad after getting a pay rise in the agreement from his current £300,000-a-week deal at Man City.
Lukaku was on £325,000-a-week, while N'Golo Kante is on £290,000-a-week in west London.
Tuchel has nearly got his man, his main attacking target which will give the squad a much needed bolster in attack heading into next season.
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Sterling is claimed to be excited about joining Chelsea this summer after being impressed with Tuchel's plans and ambitions for him during discussions.
Real Madrid were interested but Sterling was swung by Chelsea's 'strong desire, both publicly, and privately' to swoop in to land the Man City star.
City wanted Sterling to stay but recognised that he only had a year left on his deal and didn't want to risk losing him for nothing next summer.
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The final transfer fee remains unclear but it is expected to be in the region of £45 million.
It will be a similar price to what Arsenal paid Man City for Gabriel Jesus.
Todd Boehly and co want to get Sterling signed before the US tour to allow him to become the first signing of the new era following the takeover at the end of May.
The wait is nearly over, Sterling is nearly a Blue - Chelsea Blue.
Topics: Raheem Sterling, Chelsea, Manchester City
Matthew Debono