Raheem Sterling has opted to join Chelsea in the hope of becoming the main man to achieve his personal ambitions as a deal is expected to be finalised on Thursday (7 July).
The 27-year-old is on the verge of joining Thomas Tuchel’s side after agreeing personal terms which will see him become the club’s current highest paid player following the loan departure of Romelu Lukaku.
Sterling will exceed N’Golo Kante’s £290,000-a-week deal, getting a small uplift on his £300,000-a-week deal at Manchester City.
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A transfer fee is yet to be agreed between the two clubs but that is expected to come on Thursday over a £55 million including add-ons package, with an initial £45 million being paid.
Chelsea are hoping to have Sterling on the plane with the rest of the squad on Saturday when they fly to America for their pre-season tour of the United States.
Conversations were held with Tuchel and Pep Guardiola over their plans for him next season, which allowed Sterling to make his final decision over his future.
He believed he could play a bigger part at Stamford Bridge compared to if he stayed at the Etihad, with his contract also running out next summer.
Sterling has ambitions of his own and City didn’t want to stand in his way, also conscious of the fact they could lose him for free next summer if an extension wasn’t agreed.
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Tuchel's ambitions and plans for Sterling attracted the winger to west London, with the public and private pursuit of Sterling proving to play a key part in decision to join Chelsea.
As reported by Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail, he didn’t believe he would be able to continue to do that while at City.
An agreement is imminent and Ben Jacobs reports that a deal should be completed on Thursday.
Sterling is set to be the first signing of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital era and is likely to be involved in their week-long pre-season training camp in Los Angeles.
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Talks are ongoing for Nathan Ake and Matthijs de Ligt, with the club eyeing to sign a defender before the end of the week, but time is running out.
Chelsea are also waiting on Raphinha to make a decision over his future amid interest from Barcelona.
A £55 million fee has been agreed with Leeds United, but the 25-year-old Brazilian prefers a switch to Spain rather a move down south to the capital.
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It's now a waiting game for the Blues who have remained extremely patient thus far, but much longer will they be prepared to wait for?
The season gets underway in under a month's time and Tuchel will be keen to have as much time to work with his current squad and new signings ahead of their Everton opener on 6 August.
Topics: Raheem Sterling, Chelsea, Manchester City
Matthew Debono