Chelsea in swoop for Sterling and De Ligt

CHELSEA have made their first move to sign Raheem Sterling – and the deal could be done this week.

Owner Todd Boehly has made a personal intervention to make contact with Manchester City with a formal bid now certain to follow.

They may be willing to sell for around £55million and it is understood discussions with Sterling have been very transparent and amicable which suggests a move could go through quickly.

The England star, 27, has one year left on his £300,000-a-week contract at City and his decision over his future is driven purely by a desire for more game-time.

That has alerted Chelsea with boss Thomas Tuchel very keen and he has outlined his vision to Sterling and how he would

fit into his plans. Chelsea will follow up with an offer and, while personal terms have yet to be agreed, that is unlikely to be a problem and City will not stand in his way if they get the right offer.

Chelsea will also carry on spending, with Matthijs De Ligt keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Dutch defender De Ligt, 22, is on around £200,000 a week and his current deal is one of the reasons why Juventus are open to letting him go for around £70m.

The Blues are also trying to sign France star Ousmane Dembele whose contract at Barcelona runs out this week, while they are also preparing to allow Romelu Lukaku (above) to leave on a year-long loan to Inter Milan just 12 months after re-signing him in a record £97.5m move.

Technical and performance advisor Petr Cech has followed chairman Bruce Buck and transfer negotiator Marina Granovskaia out of the door.

Cech said: “With the club under new ownership, I feel now is the right time for me to step aside.”

COLLYMORE’S TUCHEL FEAR – PAGE 47