Chelsea are targeting the summer transfer signing of Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, as talks continue together to land Romelu Lukaku, target understands.
Inter have offered the Blues a fee of up to £6m, but Thomas Tuchel’s outfit are demanding more for the striker as they seek to create more financial space for a signing such as Sterling, who has only on his deal. One year left. Premier League Champion.
Chelsea are ready to settle and let Lukaku go for a loan fee of around £10m ($12m) – far less than they initially requested.
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How viable is Sterling for Chelsea?
Reports in Italy have suggested the England international could cost as little as £35m ($43m) this summer, which would be within the budget of the West London club.
Man City have failed in an attempt to renew Sterling’s deal amid concerns about his position within a squad with several other high-profile attackers.
Chelsea have long had an interest in Sterling, who is ready to move abroad if he should not relocate to his home city of London.
There are concerns City could make life in talks difficult for an opponent like Chelsea, although Gabriel Jesus was previously pitched in favor of Thomas Tuchel and is now in solid talks with Arsenal.
Are Chelsea active on any other transfer fronts?
Chelsea are in more active talks to sign Sevilla’s Jules Conde, who have agreed on widely personal terms. However, an agreement on the transfer fee is yet to be worked out.
Conde is also taking interest from Barcelona, ​​but due to financial issues they are currently paralyzed from offering anything concrete.
The France international has undergone surgery for a minor hip problem and is expected to settle his future ahead of the pre-season in the coming weeks.
Chelsea are also in talks with Chicago Fire’s 18-year-old goalkeeping sensation Gabriel Slonina, who will likely go back on loan by the end of the season if he signs.
Meanwhile, the Blues have goals in other areas of the pitch based on player sales, including, as GOAL first revealed, Mark Cucurella of Brighton.
West Ham’s Declan Rice also has a long-term interest, with other central defenders such as RB Leipzig’s Josco Guardiol, Atletico Madrid’s Jose Jiménez and Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe being targeted.
The Blues have also attempted to take advantage of Inter’s interest in Lukaku, swapping him for Lautaro Martinez, Denzel Dumfries, Milan Scriabin and Alessandro Bastoni. He has seen their requests for these players dismissed out of hand, though.
Barcelona are attempting to sign Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, but currently have no funds to make those moves.
Chelsea are ready to sell other attackers such as Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, but no moves seem imminent.
He will also have to solve the future of both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho going into the final years of their contracts.
Tuchel Kepa is open to letting Arrizabalaga go with loaners who are vying for him and any other spots that open up in the squad in the pre-season.
