Chelsea hold talks to sign £153k-p/w star in exchange for Raheem Sterling

As they look to end the summer transfer window with a bang, Chelsea are reportedly holding talks over a potential swap deal that would see Raheem Sterling heading for the exit door.

Chelsea transfer news

The Blues have once again stolen the headlines this summer, welcoming the likes of Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and a few new faces in a bid to return to the top four of the Premier League. Even after cashing in on Neto, however, those at Stamford Bridge appear to be eyeing another attack.

The latest to arrive, Neto told Chelsea's official website: “I feel very happy to join this club. I've worked hard in my career to be here and I'm looking forward to stepping on the field with this shirt.”

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man could replace Sterling in Chelsea's starting XI, while the former Manchester City man could move on before the transfer window closes.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sports, Chelsea have held talks with Juventus regarding a swap deal to sign Federico Chiesa in a move that will make Sterling look the other way.

Negotiations over that deal didn't take long to reach a conclusion, however, with the Italian giants tipped off by Sterling's £325,000-a-week wages. The Chelsea man earns more than double Chiesa, who reportedly earns £153,000-a-week from Juventus.

That said, given that Chiesa has been frozen out of Thiago Motta's Juventus side and shown the door in Italy, the winger is likely to be on the move for the next two weeks. Whether that ends up being a summer move to Chelsea remains to be seen, however.

Chelsea don't need 'good' Chiesa

After splashing out on Neto, signing Chiesa would be one too many wings for Chelsea, although it could be argued that was the case before the Portuguese arrived.

The Juventus winger has also struggled in recent years, with injuries playing a major role in his progress being put on hold. The last thing the Blues need in this situation is a player hoping to regain his form amid fitness issues.

There was a time when Chiesa would not fight for a move; Europe's top clubs would have lined up for his signature after Euro 2020. Alas, those days are, for now, behind him.

Rio Ferdinand was among those heaping praise on the Italian after his performance at Euro 2020, helping his country win the tournament. The Manchester United legend said via The Metro: “He's a great player and he's been linked with a few teams in England. I'm sure they're thinking why didn't we get him?'.

“He is an amazing football player. The intensity with which he plays, we saw it at the Euros, he was the biggest threat to the Italians who managed to win the tournament.”