Chelsea snap up teenage striker from Premier League rivals

Promising English Under-20 international striker Daniel Sturridge is to sign for Chelsea from their English Premier League rivals Manchester City it was announced on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old’s present contract at City was due to terminate at the end of June and he has turned down the offer of a new one from the bigspending club.

The ultimate transfer fee for him will be decided by a tribunal with the two clubs unable to agree on a deal.

Chelsea have to pay a transfer fee as Sturridge is under-24 and as a result cannot move for nothing under the Bosman ruling.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes had been earnest in his efforts to keep Sturridge but was reluctant to agree to his wage demands.

“We have made an offer which is a good offer for Daniel at this stage of his career and that was refused a couple of weeks back,” Hughes told BBC Manchester Radio.

City are looking for a fee of around 10million pounds for the striker – who has scored six goals in 31 appearances – while Chelsea are thought to be keener on paying 3million pounds.