Chelsea 'to step up efforts to sign Raheem Sterling'

Chelsea reportedly intend to step up their efforts to sign Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling over the coming weeks.

While the Blues are currently overflowing with options in the final third, head coach Thomas Tuchel is said to be open to making alterations in that area of the pitch.

As well as Romelu Lukaku being expected to return to Inter Milan over the coming days, there are doubts over the long-term futures of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic.

That has led to speculation regarding the potential arrival of fresh faces at Stamford Bridge, including that of Sterling who could depart Man City.

According to The Mirror, Chelsea are intent on offering the England international an opportunity to return to London during the current transfer window.

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Although Sterling has spent his professional career in the North West with Liverpool and City, he featured in the youth system at Queens Park Rangers for seven years.

Throughout the most recent campaign, there were suggestions that the 27-year-old was both ready to take on a new challenge and explore the possibility of signing for a foreign club.

However, potential destinations such as Barcelona and Real Madrid do not appear realistic, while Bayern Munich are already on the brink of signing Sadio Mane from Liverpool.

While Serie A remains a possibility, Sterling may be left looking at a switch to Chelsea as his best hope of securing a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium before the end of August.

The report says that head coach Thomas Tuchel is an admirer of the player, increasing his chances of earning more regular game time than he did with City during 2021-22.

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Despite still making 28 starts in the Premier League and Champions League, Sterling also came off the substitutes' bench on 14 occasions in those competitions.

The attacker still managed to contribute 16 goals and seven assists, a strong return from a player who has fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola.

In normal circumstances, City would be against selling players to a Premier League rival, but Sterling has just 12 months remaining on his contract.

Gabriel Jesus finds himself in a similar situation with the Brazilian seemingly set to sign for Arsenal if a deal can be agreed.

Guardiola has already signed Julian Alvarez and Erling Braut Haaland for next season, their target now being on generating funds from players who they have effectively already replaced.