Chelsea Hold Strongest Interest In Manchester City Forward Amongst Top European Clubs

Chelsea are showing the greatest interest amongst Europe's elite to sign Manchester City star Raheem Sterling this summer, according to a new report.

The 27-year-old is set to hold talks with the Premier League champions following his return from international duty, as he enters the final 12 months on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

With Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez coming in, the England international could look for a move away should Pep Guardiola fail to assure him of regular minutes at Manchester City next term.

Sterling spent much of the early part of the season on the bench. Image: PA Images

Since his arrival to the Etihad Stadium from Liverpool in 2015, Sterling has established his status as one of the deadliest wingers in world football and is only behind Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero in goalscoring charts for players who have worked under Pep Guardiola.

After being out of favour with the Manchester City boss at the start of last season, the London-born attacker forced his way back into the frame with a series of consistent displays across the frontline and even as a false nine - a trait appreciated by Pep Guardiola amongst his forwards in the absence of a natural striker in his ranks.

However, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Raheem Sterling, who will be keen to secure first-team football in the opening months of the upcoming campaign with the World Cup in Qatar on the horizon.

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is congratulated by Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish of Manchester City during the Premier League. (Alamy) match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

According to a new report by James Ducker and Matt Law of The Telegraph, there is a growing belief amongst top clubs across Europe that Raheem Sterling will part ways with Manchester City in the summer.

It has been revealed that Sterling, who is unlikely to head to either Arsenal or Tottenham, could end his seven-year stint in east Manchester, with Chelsea understood to have expressed the greatest interest in landing the forward.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are believed to be interested as well, with Bayern Munich considering Sterling as one of their alternative options should the Bundesliga giants fail to agree a deal with Liverpool for Sadio Mane.

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City during the game. (Alamy)

Gabriel Jesus looks set to depart Manchester City in the summer and is believed to be keen on staying in England, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all registering an interest in the Brazilian.

Despite being rotated regularly by Pep Guardiola over the course of the previous campaign, Sterling bagged 17 goals and nine assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for the Premier League champions.

Manchester City will be looking to get a significant fee for Raheem Sterling should they fail to convince the forward to stay put - to avoid the risk of losing him on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer.

Topics: Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester City, Raheem Sterling, Chelsea, Pep Guardiola, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Premier League, Bayern Munich

Vayam Lahoti

Freelance Multimedia Journalist, Editor - City Xtra, Host of the BLEAV in Man City Podcast, Journalism Student

@VayamLahoti