Chelsea Transfer News: Raheem Sterling Snubbed by Blues, Latest Rumours

Chelsea "snubbed the chance" to sign Raheem Sterling from Liverpool due to his astronomical price tag, according to Jack Wilson of the Daily Star.

Manchester City have agreed a deal worth £49 million with the Reds for Sterling's transfer, reported by John Cross of the Mirror. However, the investment will likely cost £100 million over his five-year contract because Sterling was offered a contract in the region of £200,000 per week, noted by Chris McKenna of the Daily Star.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is a pragmatic worker in the transfer market, someone who looks to accumulate funds for top-class players by selling his unneeded personnel for hefty fees.

Prime examples include David Luiz's exit for £50 million, Juan Mata departing for £37.1 million and Andre Schurrle being moved on for £24 million.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Less cash brought in the likes of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic, three players who defined Chelsea's 2014-15 title-winning season.

Wilson suggests Sterling was "keen" on moving to Stamford Bridge and back into London—where he grew up with Queens Park Rangers—to further his career.

However, the Etihad Stadium represents his next challenge. Mourinho would have struggled to fit Sterling in at Chelsea, where the side's left flank is dominated by PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard. The Belgian was a far more effective attacking outlet last term, as highlighted by WhoScored.com:

Hazard	Stat	Sterling
38	Appearances	34 (1)
14	Goals	7
9	Assists	7
2.1	Shots per game	2.4
4.8	Dribbles completed per match	2.9
2.7	Dispossessed per match	2.1
86.8%	Pass accuracy	81%
0.3	Crosses completed	0.5
0.7	Tackles averaged per game	1.1
7.96	WhoScored.com average rating	7.27

While both men are capable of playing from the right or through the centre, it would be a risky call for Mourinho to change his team so readily, particularly at a major cost to the club.

Sakchai Lalit/Associated Press

Sterling could have taken Willian's role in west London, but then the Blues' right side would be lessened in a combative sense. He could have played off Costa, but Fabregas' room for creativity would be cramped.

Mourinho prioritises defensive unity before flamboyance, and although Sterling is a hard worker in his own half, the Englishman would have likely endured a rotational role at Chelsea.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer believes this fate awaits him at City:

Sky Sports highlighted the players Sterling must overcome for a regular spot in the team:

With Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado already struggling to make an impression under Mourinho's tutelage, Sterling's arrival would have forced a major reaction from the manager.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Mourinho will likely feel there's better value for money out there. Javier Miguel of Sport reports the Portuguese boss has spoken to Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez over a potential deal worth €30 million (approximately £21 million).

Pedro has won everything worth winning at club and international level but has understandably fallen behind Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez at the Camp Nou.

At less than half the price of Sterling, he could provide more immediate results for Chelsea. Mourinho rarely takes risks in the transfer market—certainly not for £49 million—and is prone to buying experienced winners.

This led Chelsea to the Premier League title last time out and outlines them as favourites for next season.