Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Raheem Sterling and Paul Pogba Rumours

Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling could reportedly buy out the final year of his contract with the Reds for £1.7 million, potentially paving the way for a move to Chelsea or Manchester City this summer.

As noted by Rob Shepherd of the MailOnline, the youngster could “force his way out” of Anfield, with Premier League regulations allowing him to reduce his current contract, which runs until 2017, by a year. According to the piece, that could prompt Liverpool to sell the winger for a reduced fee of £25 million this summer.

Shepherd elaborated on what these circumstances would mean for the Reds:

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Liverpool insist they will hold firm and not be forced into selling Sterling in the close season.

However, the Reds would have to reconsider their stance if Sterling and his advisers go down the route of buying out a chunk of his contract.

It is understood Liverpool value Sterling as high as £50million given his age, talent and potential. 

However, if Sterling effectively only had one year left on his contract that fee would be reduced considerably - perhaps even in half to £25 million.

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Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Sterling’s refusal to sign a contract extension with the Reds has prompted a flurry of rumours regarding his future with the Merseysiders and, as noted by Shepherd, the Blues have been touted as potential suitors. Here’s why the England international is rated so highly, per Squawka Football:

Given Sterling’s quality, energy and work-rate, it’s easy to see why Jose Mourinho would potentially be keen on the Liverpool man. The Blues have thrilled with some of their attacking play this season and the talents of Sterling would only serve to further enrich Chelsea’s forward forays. But it’s a decision the Reds winger should take great care over.

Bleacher Report’s Stan Collymore gave his take on why:

After all, Sterling is growing into a key figure for the Reds and is clearly developing under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers. He’s become a multifaceted footballer at Anfield, but while he’s excited many with some outstanding performances in this campaign, there is still plenty of room for further improvements.

To continue his progression, Sterling needs regular games and while the bright lights of Stamford Bridge might be an enticing proposition, for the time being Merseyside remains the best venue for Sterling if he wants to continue adding to his already vast skill set.

Blues Facing Fight to Land Pogba

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

According to Sport (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro) Chelsea will face stiff competition from Barcelona if they want to sign Paul Pogba, with the La Liga giants having reportedly registered an official bid for the Juventus sensation.

The piece claims that Barcelona's’ offer of £50 million was "promptly rejected" by the Italian champions, but the Catalonian club will continue their pursuit nonetheless.

Here’s a look at why so many clubs are keen on the French midfielder:

Pogba is a player who would be perfect for the Blues. He would sit alongside Nemanja Matic at the heart of Chelsea’s double-pivot midfield, adding poise, purpose and a phenomenal drive to the core of the team. All the requisite qualities are there for Pogba to grow into one of the finest midfield men in world football and the Blues will be desperate to get him on board.

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

According to Bellshaw, the player is “almost certain” to leave Turin this summer and Gazzetta dello Sport teased what Juve could potentially do with the money from his sale, per Bleacher Report’s Juventus correspondent Adam Digby:

Barcelona’s transfer ban means they won’t be able to draft in any new players this summer, but the regulations don’t prevent them from signing a player before completing a transfer in January 2016. For Juventus, the prospect of keeping their star man for a little longer could be appealing and maybe give the Blaugrana an edge in the pursuit.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

But Chelsea are a club that command considerable gravitas and while Pogba would surely flourish in La Liga, his rounded playing style makes him a perfect fit for the Premier League. If Mourinho can convince him that’s the case, we could be looking at an incredible Blues team in the 2015/16 campaign.