Why Raheem Sterling may snub Bayern Munich and Real Madrid moves for Chelsea transfer

Glen Johnson thinks the “London lifestyle” could play a big part in Raheem Sterling’s thinking this summer as the Manchester City attacker weighs up his options. Chelsea are one of numerous clubs showing an interest in the England international, football.london understands.

The Blues are looking at a number of different attacking options this window as Thomas Tuchel looks to bolster his front-line. Sterling is one man being considered, with just over 12 months remaining on his contract with Man City.

However, the likes of Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in the 27-year-old. Chelsea and the Gunners could have the upper hand in negotiations, though, as they can both offer the lure of living in London.

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Sterling was brought up in the English capital after being born in Jamaica. The City attacker spent time in the QPR academy before being signed by Liverpool as a teenager.

Johnson thinks the lure of being based in London could tempt Sterling to stay in the Premier League rather than move abroad. “I think he’d relish going back to a London club for his lifestyle, but then, it’s hard to turn down the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich,” Johnson said to Bettingodds.com.

“With Madrid, you’re going to be going deep into all the competitions and at Bayern, you’re pretty much guaranteed to win the league. I guess it’s all about what Raheem wants. He’s got to start at City.

“If he feels like he’s not getting enough game time, then he’s got to leave, but I think only he will know that. If he wants to leave, it depends on how hungry he is. Does he want more trophies, or does he want to go enjoy life in London?”

Sterling has previously hinted that he would be open to moving overseas later on in his career. At the age of 27, there’s still time for the England winger to find another club in the Premier League and then move abroad afterwards.

Speaking at the FT Business of Sport US summit last year, Sterling said: “If there was an 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 for me – challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well, to play abroad.

“As an English player, all I know is the Premier League, and I have always had something down [in me] that maybe one day I would love to play abroad to see how I would come up against that challenge. I’m not a person that’s going to complain. I’ve not tried to make it a bigger deal than it actually is.

“I get on with my work, do what I need to do. And I’m just raring to go – playing football matches regularly, scoring goals regularly.

“From being a young child, football has been the most important thing in my life, my most happiest, I should say. If I want my happiness at a certain level, I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself.”