Raheem Sterling has agreed personal terms with Chelsea ahead of a potential transfer from Manchester City.
The Athletic understands Sterling has decided to leave City for Chelsea and it is expected the two clubs will be able to agree a transfer fee for the 27-year-old.
The Athletic reported in June that Chelsea were growing in confidence that they could complete a deal for a player available for a cut-price fee this summer because he only has one year left to run on his contract.
It is understood Sterling has spoken to Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel about what life is like at the club, and it is thought the England international was impressed with the German coach’s vision for the club.
It is now believed a deal will happen imminently.
In Sterling’s seven years at City, he has scored 131 goals in 339 appearances for the reigning Premier League champions.
He joined City from Liverpool for an initial £44 million in July 2015 and has gone on to win four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three League Cups.
Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez’s arrivals, plus the form of the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez, has meant there will be fierce competition for places in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI next season.
City’s first game of the 2022-23 season will be against West Ham United at the London Stadium on August 7.
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