Chelsea to step up Sterling bid as Manchester City expect player to leave

Raheem Sterling, pictured running past Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, is about to enter the final year of his Manchester City contract. Photograph: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

Manchester City expect Raheem Sterling to leave this summer, with Chelsea poised to step up their interest in the England winger once Romelu Lukaku’s loan to Internazionale has been completed.

Thomas Tuchel is keen to strengthen his misfiring attack and Chelsea, who are close to giving Lukaku permission to seal a return to Inter, plan to accelerate their transfer activity soon. Sterling is high on their list of targets and City are unlikely to stand in the 27-year-old’s way.