Chelsea ‘will make their move for Raheem Sterling if they can offload £97.5m Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan’ with new owner Todd Boehly to lead efforts in recruiting the England star from Manchester City
- Chelsea are interested in signing Raheem Sterling during the summer window
- However, they will only move for him if they can offload Romelu Lukaku to Inter
- Lukaku failed to impress during his second spell at Stamford Bridge last season
- As a result, he could return to the San Siro this summer to play for Inter Milan
- His departure would make way for the signing of Sterling from Manchester City
Chelsea are reportedly readying their move for Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling if they can offload Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan this summer.
Thomas Tuchel will look to lure Sterling away from the Etihad this summer, with the 27-year-old so far unable to agree a new contract with the Premier League champions.
However, a move to Stamford Bridge hinges on the prospect of Lukaku ending his second spell at the club and returning to the San Siro, according to The Mirror.
Chelsea are interested in signing Raheem Sterling during the summer transfer window
Lukaku has held talks with manager Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea’s new owners and the Blues agree that letting their £97.5million club-record signing leave temporarily would be the best solution after a poor first season back at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea want a loan fee of about £20million and the majority, if not all, of Lukaku’s wages worth £300,000 per week paid.
However, Inter Milan’s starting point is said to be a loan fee in the region of £7m.
As a result, Lukaku is prepared to accept a significant wage cut to help make the switch happen.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is said to be a fan of the Manchester City and England forward
Should Lukaku return to Italy, Chelsea will then move for Sterling with new owner Todd Boehly expected to lead their interest in a move.
Thomas Tuchel is said to be a fan of the 27-year-old and will push to sign him this summer.
The England international won another Premier League title with City last season and played 47 times in all competitions, scoring 17 goals, but has not always been first-choice at the Etihad.
His contract is set to expire in 2023, meaning Pep Guardiola’s side could sell him this summer to avoid losing him for nothing.
However, the Premier League giants may demand as much as £50-60million for him.
However, Chelsea will only move for Sterling if they are able to offload Lukaku this summer
The 27-year-old, who wants to have a key role in a team challenging for trophies, admitted in October he could leave due to a lack of playing time, and paused talks with the club about his future to see if the situation changed.
Despite starting 23 of City’s 38 league games last campaign, he was on the bench for several key matches, including both legs of their Champions League semi-final defeat against Real Madrid.
The signings of forwards Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, plus more game time for Jack Grealish in his second season, could further restrict his playing time.
As a result, he could look elsewhere for regular football ahead of the 2022-2023 campaign.
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