Raheem Sterling’s transfer hint as Chelsea chase Man City star ahead of Arsenal

Chelsea have been linked with a host of players ahead of the transfer window opening. One of which is England star, Raheem Sterling, with the 27-year-old’s current contract expiring next summer.

The winger enjoyed another impressive season at Manchester City as they claimed his fourth Premier League title in five seasons. The England winger scored 17 goals and notched a further nine assists in 47 appearances across all competitions to help Pep Guardiola’s side finish a point clear of runners-up Liverpool.

However, Sterling has become something of a peripheral figure at City over the last couple of seasons, with Guardiola often choosing not to start him in their most significant of matches. The fact that he was left on the bench for both legs of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid indicates he’s seen as more of a squad player at the Etihad Stadium.

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Todd Boehly has reportedly given Thomas Tuchel the green light to have the final say on transfer deals moving forward, and with Chelsea’s attack failing to hit the mark at times last season, Sterling could be the right man to give the German coach exactly what he wants.

Previously, Sterling hinted that if the opportunity to move for more minutes arrived, he might be enticed, providing Tuchel with food for thought.

Talking at the FT Business of Sport US Summit, Sterling said: “If there was the opportunity to go somewhere else for more game time, I would be open to it at this moment in time. As I said, football is the most important thing to me – challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.”

This may become a stumbling block currently with Chelsea having so many attacking players to choose from, but rumours are that the Blues are open to offers for Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic, with record signing Romelu Lukaku pushing for a move back to Inter Milan after just one year at Stamford Bridge.

This could mean a place in the side opening up for Sterling but Chelsea will likely need to sell one or two before adding to thier attacking ranks with them also hot on the heels for Barcalona winger Ousmane Dembele.

Sterling joined City from Liverpool in the summer of 2015 and has enjoyed a trophy-laden seven seasons in Manchester, winning four Premier League titles, four League Cups and a solitary FA Cup. In total, he’s made 339 appearances for the club scoring 131 goals and registering 95 assists.