Chelsea Set To Trump Man City With £40m Cash Offer For Raheem Sterling

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Chelsea are ready to make their move for Raheem Sterling…

Chelsea are ready to trump Manchester City by tabling a £40m cash offer for want-away Liverpool attacker Raheem Sterling, according to the Express.

Sterling’s future at Anfield is in serious doubt after he called off contract extension talks and his agent Aidy Ward was quoted in the Evening Standard last month as saying his client wants to leave Liverpool and has no intention of signing a new deal.

This has led to strong interest from other Premier League clubs and Manchester City reportedly became the first to show their hand with the Manchester Evening News one of several media outlets who claim the Citizens saw an improved £35m plus £5m add ons offer rejected earlier this month.

However, it appears Chelsea are now ready to make their move for the 20-year-old as the Express claim that the Blues are set to tempt Liverpool with a straight £40m cash offer for the unsettled attacker.

The Telegraph run a similar story as they say that Chelsea are extremely interested in Sterling and although they aren’t willing to meet Liverpool’s £50m, they are prepared to pay £40m for the England international this summer.

The newspaper suggests that Jose Mourinho is hoping the lure of returning to London – where Sterling grew up as a child – and the promise of a bumper contract will be enough to see the champions beat Man City to his signature.

Chelsea skipper John Terry has been doing his bit after jumping to Sterling’s defence earlier this week and says the youngster wants to play in the Champions League.

“Raheem has taken a bit of stick recently, but I was really impressed by him,” Terry is quoted as saying in the Telegraph.

“I didn’t realise how good he was until I played against him three or four times. He’s an exceptional player.

“At times he’s been unfairly treated this year with the press he’s got. He’s a young player and wants to play at the very top for the very best.

“He’s got ambitions to play in the Champions League and continue playing for his country.”

It’s difficult to know how much truth there really is behind these reports but it will be interesting to see how Liverpool respond if Chelsea do submit a £40m cash offer for Sterling’s services.

It doesn’t match their supposed valuation but it’s still likely to be a tempting offer as Sterling is clearly agitating for a move away from the club and it would give Brendan Rodgers sizeable funds to reinvest in his squad.

The Reds boss has already been busy in the transfer market and secured his fifth signing of the summer after Liverpool announced on Liverpoolfc.com this morning that they have agreed terms to sign Roberto Firmino.

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The Brazilian international could be viewed as a potential replacement for Sterling so perhaps his arrival has pushed the youngster further out the Anfield exit door.

It’s going to be an intriguing transfer saga but it now looks like Chelsea and Manchester City are going to go head-to-head over Sterling’s signature and if Mourinho wants him enough, I’d personally put the champions down as the slight favourites.