Raheem Sterling unlocks Chelsea a huge boost in the race to sign Aston Villa star Leon Bailey. The 25-year-old winger has become heavily linked with the Blues recently, as Christian Pulisic seemingly nears an exit.
According to the Daily Mail, the west Londoners are set to make an approach for Bailey in the event that the United States international leaves Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are said to be anticipating Pulisic's exit after informing the club that he wants regular first-team opportunities.
Pulisic fell out of favour under former head coach Thomas Tuchel and he looked set for a new lease of life under new boss Graham Potter. But, even under new management, the winger has struggled to nail down a place in the Blues' starting XI.
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Pulisic, who sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring in 2024, has featured 13 times for the west Londoners in the Premier League this season, directly contributing towards two goals. In the time he has had to showcase his ability, Pulisic has failed to convince Potter that he's worthy of a long-term future at the club.
The Daily Mail report that Chelsea are in the market for forwards who can 'inject more pace into their frontline'. RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku has been heavily linked with a move to west London and now Bailey too.
And, the Blues could already have a huge advantage in negotiations. Speaking to Sky Sports last month, the Villa star opened up on his relationship with Raheem Sterling.
The Jamaica international confessed his admiration for the Chelsea talisman and admitted that he only wanted to wear the No. 31 growing up - just as Sterling did at Liverpool.
"He was already a professional for Liverpool and I was only 16 years old," said Bailey, speaking of the England international, who was also born in Jamaica. "We just built a good friendship since and obviously he advanced to City and then that's when I signed my first professional contract.
"His success has been my motivation since. I really looked up to him so when I signed my first professional contract, I decided I wanted to wear 31 and from then on we became like brothers.
"He's just always been that brother to me and I've been a brother to him. We help each other. We speak about a lot of different things. Whenever he had a bad time at City, we speak about it. I had injuries so we speak about that and are always giving positive messages to each other and trying to uplift each other.
"He's such a talented player and anywhere he goes he will always impress. I've been quite impressed by what he's been doing already at Chelsea. So I hope he will continue to and continue raising the flag high for a lot of the younger ones who look up to him like I do."
Bailey joined Villa for £25million last summer. He is now valued at £20million (£17.4million) by CIES Football Observatory and sees his deal at Villa Park expire in 2025.
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