Tuchel makes ‘direct contact’ with 131-goal man, as Chelsea to open £60m bid for attacker
According to reports, Thomas Tuchel has’made contact’ with Raheem Sterling as Chelsea gets ready to make a first offer for the Manchester City attacker.
The English forward could be sold by the Premier League champions this summer.
Chelsea appears to be in the lead in the race to recruit the former Liverpool player, despite links to Arsenal, Tottenham, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
Since leaving Anfield in 2015, Sterling has excelled with the Citizens. In 339 appearances for the team, he has 131 goals and 95 assists.
The 27-year-old has reportedly “initiated contact” with Blues manager Tuchel in preparation for a prospective transfer to Stamford Bridge, according to The Telegraph.
Tuchel has “made a check” on Sterling’s summer plans because the player is one of his “top attacking objectives.”
Chelsea is “preparing” an opening offer for the 77-cap England veteran, who is valued between £50m and £60m.
If he is promised regular first-team action and the chance to keep winning trophies, Sterling would be willing to leave.
With new co-owner Todd Boehly prepared to get to work, the summer transfer window at Stamford Bridge looks to be bustling.
Boehly is apparently willing to allow “up to six signings” to join the Premier League club in the upcoming months and has given Tuchel a £200 million transfer budget.
Romelu Lukaku is returning to Inter Milan on loan, so Chelsea still needs a new forward, but a new central defender is still a top priority.
Matthijs de Ligt, a Juventus center-half who reportedly does not want to sign a new contract and is’ready’ to come to England, has been mentioned in connection with them.
With names like Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher, and Christian Pulisic all associated with departures, there will undoubtedly be more departures as well.