Raheem Sterling's stance on Liverpool return before irresistible Chelsea offer

Raheem Sterling was reportedly open to a return to Liverpool - before Chelsea swooped in to land the Manchester City star.

The England star has said he will leave City "a man" after his move to Chelsea edged closer and he announced the end of his seven-year stay at the Etihad Stadium. The 27-year-old posted a goodbye message on social media, with his move to the Blues expected to be confirmed later on Wednesday.

The Stamford Bridge outfit beat plenty of competition from Premier League rivals, including Tottenham, Arsenal and former club Liverpool. And it has now emerged that Sterling was open to a return to Anfield, although Jurgen Klopp's side never made a formal offer for the winger.

According to the Athletic, Sterling 'wouldn't have ruled out a move to Liverpool'. However a switch failed to materialise and Chelsea then swooped in to secure a stunning £50million.

Sterling joined City from Liverpool in 2015, winning four league titles and scoring 131 goals in 339 games across all competitions. He was in and out of the City team towards the end of last season and did not start either leg of their Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid or the Premier League title-clincher against Aston Villa on the final day.

The England international has become the second long-serving City player to depart for London this summer after Gabriel Jesus completed a move to Arsenal. The pair scored 30 goals between them last season but Pep Guardiola will be hoping to offset that loss following the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund earlier in the window.

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Sterling is Chelsea's first major signing of the summer as Blues boss Thomas Tuchel looks to inject fresh impetus into an already impressive forward line. The winger will no doubt be relishing the challenge ahead at Stamford Bridge - but when announcing his exit, he sent a thank-you message to City.

"Seven seasons, eleven major trophies, a lifetime of memories," he posted on Twitter. "To the coaching staff who have played a massive role in my development over the years to my team-mates who have become more than just those I share a pitch with, to the backroom staff, to the office staff, to the fans who have tirelessly supported the team and to everyone involved with Manchester City, my respect for you couldn't be greater.

"What a ride it's been. I am thankful for the ups and the downs as it's the downs that have, at times, tested my strength and resolve and enabled me to stand here in front of you as the best possible version of myself. I arrived in Manchester as a 20-year-old. Today, I leave a man. Thank you for your endless support. It's been an honour to wear the shirt of Manchester City."