Chelsea finalize £35m deal for Manchester City star Raheem Sterling | Soccer

The former Liverpool man is ready to leave Etihad after seven years at the club.

Sterling has 12 months to complete his existing contract and despite not submitting a transfer request, he has hinted to Pep Guardiola he is open to a new challenge.

The London-born winger is keen to return to the capital and Gianluca Di Marzio says Chelsea are now confident of completing a £35million deal.

With Romelu Lukaku set to return to Inter Milan, Thomas Tuchel has been handed plenty of money to invest in his front line and believes Sterling can play a more central role at Stamford Bridge.

Sterling lost his place as a regular starter at City last season but Guardiola was keen to keep it.

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele is another name on Chelsea’s shortlist but it’s unclear whether a move for the Frenchman is independent of the Blues’ interest in Sterling.

Sterling’s arrival could be bad news for Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who could be put up for sale.

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