While it is expected to be a busy summer for Chelsea in the transfer market, the club are yet to welcome their first new signing through the door. While plenty of talks appear to continue over targets, it seems as though there are more moves away to come.
Romelu Lukaku recently made the switch back to Inter Milan on a season-long loan, just one-year after making the club-record return to the Blues. However, a campaign of struggle has seen his exit confirmed, as Thomas Tuchel and Todd Boehly begin their squad refresh.
In terms of players linked with a move to west London, Matthijs de Ligt, Jules Kounde and Nathan Ake are all reported targets for the defence. As for the forward line, Neymar and Raheem Sterling have been the most prominently discussed players.
READ MORE: Matthijs de Ligt to Chelsea 'close' as Juventus identify Thomas Tuchel favourite to replace him
However, it seems as though it’s the England international that is closing in on a move to his boyhood city of London. With just one-year remaining on his contract at Manchester City, Sterling’s future is back in focus, with questions surrounding where he may end up alongside interest from the Blues.
According to some reports, the deal for the 27-year-old to move to Chelsea is already completed, though it remains to be seen if that is the case. However, another development may suggest that the transfer is moving closer.
Bookmakers Betfair have announced that they have suspended all betting on Raheem Sterling joining Chelsea this summer. It comes after Tuchel’s men were made clear favourites to sign the forward, with over 95 percent of the bets taken going on the German coach to land his target.
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “We have suspended betting on Chelsea to sign Man City and England forward Raheem Sterling following a huge amount of bets earlier today. A move to Chelsea was an incredibly popular selection with the punters, 95% of bets we took on the market had been for Thomas Tuchel’s side to capture his signature.
“Earlier today, Chelsea were backed into odds-on at 1/14 to sign Sterling, before we suspended the market on Thursday afternoon. Looking at what impact his signing could have, Chelsea are 16/1 to win the Premier League title, however, Man City remain the 8/13 favourites.”
There still appears to be plenty left in this saga, as more news is awaited, but the Blues seem to be inching closer to their first statement signing of the window.
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