Raheem Sterling has already sent Chelsea transfer message amid £60m claim

England International Raheem Sterling is the latest in a ring of players who are expected to say goodbye to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

In the newest twist regarding the Manchester City striker, reports have suggested that the 27-year-old may make his way down south to don a different Blue shirt with Chelsea when the 2022/23 season starts.

Chelsea are said to be ‘confident’ in hoping to sign the England striker who joined City in 2015 and has won four Premier League titles; four League Cups and the FA Cup with them.

Recent reports from Sky Italy have suggested that Sterling could join Stamford Bridge for around £35 million, however Sky Sports UK have offered a fee closer to that of £60m.

Sterling’s current contract with the Premier League title winners ends in 2023 and with the arrival of 21-year-old Erling Haaland to Manchester, the 27-year-old may find his position within his squad up for fierce competition.

The beginning of the 2021/22 season saw Raheem Sterling struggling with form and consequently out of the City line-up.

Talks soon arose with suggestions a move away from Guadiola would be wise as he searched for more game time ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Once again, reports have come out of the woodworks and with the Summer transfer season well underway, it may not be long before Sterling bids farewell to Manchester City.

What has Raheem Sterling said?

Suggestions that Sterling would leave City are far from out of the blue with the England striker declaring the possibility of leaving Manchester back in October 2021.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Sterling said: “I’m not a person that’s going to complain. I’ve not tried to make it a bigger deal than it actually is. I get on with my work, do what I need to do. And I’m just raring to go - playing football matches regularly, score goals regularly.

“From being a young child, football has been the most important thing in my life, my most happiest I should say.

“When I play football that is where I get my happiness from. And of course with family as well but football for me has a special place in my heart.

“With everything that comes with football, money, being abl to do nice things, at the end of the day if football for me is not at a certain standard I’m not really at my happiest.

“If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself. If there was the opportunity to go somewhere else for more game time I would be open to it at this moment in time.

“As I said, football is the most important thing to me - challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.”

What is Sterling’s current situation?

Since October, Sterling’s form has improved and it appeared as if his comments sent a message to his boss indicating he was ready to leave if he was not given any time on the pitch.

After fighting his way back into the team, Sterling spoke ahead of the Champions League semi final against Real Madrid saying: “At the minute I’m just happy to be playing, happy to be contributing with the team.

“I think that’s the most important thing. At this period, I think it would be selfish of me to speak of any contract situation and I’m just happy to be playing football and see where we are at the end of the season.”

Well, the season ended with City top of the league with Sterling a key contributor to his team’s success.

However with next season looming and City enjoying a plethora of exceptional talent up front, Sterling may hope to source more certain and regular game time down in West London.