Raheem Sterling Transfer Opens Chelsea’s Todd Boehly Era

Chelsea’s new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, has made its first big transfer move.

On Wednesday, former Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling agreed personal terms on a move to Stamford Bridge with an accompanying $54 million-plus-add-ons transfer fee, per multiple reports.

While specific details of his new contract haven’t been released, the 27-year-old is in line to pass N’Golo Kante ($348,000 per week) as the club’s highest-paid player, per ESPN. Romelu Lukaku — who was previously the highest-paid — moved to Inter Milan on loan in late June.

City manager Pep Guardiola wanted to keep Sterling in Manchester, per Fabrizio Romano, but his Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel had long been in touch with the explosive offensive player and was instrumental in bringing him to London.

It’s a bold strike for Boehly’s group, who took over the club in May after a highly publicized change in ownership — but Chelsea have more work to do before the summer transfer window closes on Sept. 1.

• Key defenders Andreas Christensen (Barcelona) and Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid) departed for La Liga on free transfers.
• The Blues are rumored to be in on landing Cristiano Ronaldo if he leaves Manchester United in the coming weeks, per Romano.
• Offensive players Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, and/or Hakim Ziyech could be on the move.

The club may have attempted to cool rumors on Pulisic’s departure by including him in promotional images for the club’s new home kit, which was released Thursday.

Boehly’s Chelsea will have a lot to live up to regardless: The club finished third in the Premier League last season and were UEFA Champions League winners in 2021.