Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea FC manager Thomas Tuchel 'big fan' of Raheem Sterling

According to Italian journalist and transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea FC are interested in signing Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling this summer, and Thomas Tuchel is a "great fan" of the Manchester City forward.

The Blues are expected to recruit a new striker in the summer transfer window to boost Tuchel's frontline after Romelu Lukaku faltered after joining Chelsea FC from Inter Milan for a club-record £98.5 million last summer.

Chelsea FC has been connected with a move for FC Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, Bayern Munich centre-forward Robert Lewandowski, and Sterling in the summer transfer window of 2022.

The south west London side’s interest in Sterling, 27, could be somewhat controversial as Manchester City are likely to be loathe to sell one of England’s best forwards to a direct rival for next year’s Premier League title.

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But Romano has now claimed that Chelsea FC are only in the initial stages of exploring the possibility of a deal to sign Sterling before the start of the 2022-23 Premier League season.

The Italian journalist went on to reveal that Tuchel is a huge admirer of the England international following his impressive performances for Liverpool FC and Manchester City – but Chelsea FC are yet to hold any direct talks with Manchester City about a possible deal for the attacker.

"Raheem Sterling, for sure one of the names on Chelsea's list, with Thomas Tuchel a big fan of the English winger," Romano stated on Twitter. Chelsea has looked into the terms of the deal.

"Man City and Chelsea have yet to hold direct talks or make a bid. It depends on other transactions, such as those with Lukaku, Ousmane, and others."