CHELSEA GO STER CRAZY!
Raheem’s sick of sitting on the City bench and wants to sign for Tuchel
CHELSEA are edging closer towards a deal to take Raheem Sterling to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are thought to be hopeful of quickly striking a fee with Manchester City, with Sterling understood to be keen on the west London switch.
England forward Sterling would represent the kind of marquee signing that new Chelsea chief Todd Boehly promised when the US magnate completed his Blues takeover alongside main consortium partners Clearlake Capital.
Sterling would add extra dynamism to the Blues’ overall play, but also boost both creativity and goal threat.
Chelsea are also understood to have genuine designs on both Leeds forward Raphinha and his Brazil teammate, Everton’s Richarlison.
Sterling remains Chelsea’s top target, but the Blues are understood to be prepared to push through on deals for both Raphinha and Richarlison too.
Stamford Bridge chiefs would not expect to complete all three deals, but are thought to want to keep their options open amid a hectic summer’s transfer dealings.
Technical director Petr Cech’s Stamford Bridge departure has left co-controlling owner Boehly and manager Thomas Tuchel in full control of the Blues’ transfer business.
New chairman Boehly and German coach Tuchel now hope to capitalise on the streamlined recruitment hierarchy in a set-up understood to be designed to boost clarity and swift decision-making.
Juventus’ Matthijs De Ligt is also understood to have become the Blues’ main defensive transfer target, with Timo Werner likely to be offered in a player-plus-cash proposal.
The Blues are now expected to prioritise a deal for Holland defender De Ligt over previous top target Jules Kounde.
Chelsea were thwarted in their aims to sign Sevilla defender Kounde last season by the Spanish club’s negotiations over a transfer fee.
Influence
Kounde had been the Blues’ longterm top target, but the personnel changes since Chelsea’s takeover are understood to have seen priorities shift.
Chelsea will conduct the search for a new sporting director in tandem with their summer transfer business.
Boehly will fill the role on an interim basis this summer, with the likes of former Liverpool man Michael Edwards and Monaco’s Paul Mitchell in the frame for the permanent job. Tuchel is expected to assume more responsibility and influence on transfers in the Boehly era, even once the changes are complete.
The former Paris St Germain coach had only high praise for the structure under Roman Abramovich, where Marina Granovskaia and Cech handled transfer dealings allowing him to focus the majority of his energies on coaching.
The extra responsibility of the new set-up is understood to be no concern for Tuchel however, with the savvy tactician thought to be enthused by the fresh impetus after the takeover was completed.
If Richarlison could be heading to Stamford Bridge from Goodison, a couple of Chelsea players could be heading in the opposite direction.
Conor Gallagher forced his way into the England squad with his energetic performances on loan at Crystal Palace last season.
But he has been told by Tuchel
that he can look for a permanent move to enhance his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
And Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour could be heading to Everton with him as former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard looks to overhaul his midfield.
The Toffees boss also likes the look of Harry Winks from Tottenham and Manchester City’s versatile Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Deals
Everton need more bodies in the middle of the park with Fabian Delph leaving and he’s likely to be followed out of the club by Andre Gomes who is wanted by teams in Europe.
Deals for Gilmour and Gallagher could be easier to push through if Richarlison ends up going to Stamford Bridge.
The two midfielders are thought to be worth around a total of £30m and the Toffees could receive a similar amount in cash for the Brazilian.
Richarlison arrived at Everton from Watford and the Hornets could provide his replacement.
Emmanuel Dennis is the man in Lampard’s sights after the London side dropped into the Championship.
He chipped in with 10 goals and six assists in a team that struggled right through the season.
That was just his first campaign in the top flight and the 24-year-old has room to improve.
He is valued at around £20m so Everton could bring him in with the Richarlison cash even if Gallagher and Gilmour are used as part of a swap deal.
Adama Traore and Lucas Moura are other players being linked with Everton but Dennis is thought to be the No1 choice to replace the Brazilian.