Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling is reportedly set to join Chelsea on their pre-season tour of the United States ahead of his big-money move.
Thomas Tuchel's side are understood to have struck an agreement to sign Sterling for an initial fee of £47.5m, and the 27-year-old has already given the green light to personal terms.
Sterling entered the final year of his contract with the Premier League champions earlier this summer, and contract discussions did not yield a positive solution.
As a result, Pep Guardiola's side, who have bolstered their attack with the signings of Erling Braut Haaland and Julian Alvarez, were open to letting the England international leave for the right price.
Sterling has supposedly given his approval to a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues will possess the option to extend his deal until the summer of 2028.
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According to The Mirror, Chelsea will announce Sterling's arrival from Man City within the next 24 hours, and he will link up with his new teammates in the States later this week.
Chelsea's pre-season begins with a Florida Cup clash against Mexican outfit America on Saturday, but Sterling is not expected to make his debut for the club in that game.
Instead, the ex-Liverpool man could turn out for the first time for the Blues against Charlotte four days later or in a London derby with Arsenal on July 23 in Orlando.
Sterling prepares to leave Man City after amassing 131 goals and 94 assists for the club in 337 games across all tournaments since his arrival from Liverpool in 2015.
City have won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, five EFL Cups and two Community Shields with Sterling in the ranks, and he would become Chelsea's first major signing of the summer.
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The West London club have already allowed Romelu Lukaku to rejoin Inter Milan on loan, while Hakim Ziyech is said to be in talks over a switch to AC Milan.
Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic's futures at the club are also far from secure, and while Sterling is on his way to Stamford Bridge, the Blues will seemingly concede defeat in their efforts to sign Raphinha.
Chelsea were understood to have agreed a fee in the region of £60m with Leeds United, but Raphinha was not interested in a move to the capital as he held out for a switch to Barcelona.
Now, the Blaugrana are reportedly set to succeed with a £57.5m bid for Raphinha, who will snub interest from Chelsea to sign a five-year contract with Xavi's side.
Chelsea should focus on defensive reinforcements once Sterling's move is concluded, with Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly recently claiming that a proposed transfer to Stamford Bridge is "on the right track".
Ben Knapton
