Dujon Sterling is said to be undergoing a medical at Stoke City this afternoon as he looks to complete a loan-deal with the Championship club before the transfer window closes.
Sterling signed a two-year contract extension with Chelsea before going out on loan to Blackpool in August 2021. He excelled upon his arrival at the club but a minor ankle injury cut his time in the Championship short.
Blackpool manager Neil Critchley gave Tuchel great feedback on Sterling - earning him a call-up to Chelsea's pre-season tour this summer. However, he failed to cement a place in the club's starting XI.
Therefore, a host of clubs registered their interest in signing the 22-year-old during the summer transfer window. Those include: Stoke, Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End.
According to The Athletic, Stoke City have been tracking the Chelsea defender for a substantial period of time as they are in need of a right wing-back.
The report states that Stoke's new manager Alex Neil convinced Sterling to join Stoke on a season-long loan deal.
The 22-year-old was energised by the project at the Championship club and said he would like to be involved in their mission for the 2022-2023 campaign.
Therefore, Sterling is set to undergo a medical at the club later today - with a deal expected to be announced soon after.
Tuchel was hoping Sterling - who made his Chelsea debut under Antonio Conte in 2017 - would be able to fill the void left by Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
The two former Chelsea defenders left Stamford Bridge earlier this summer - joining Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
Tuchel handed Sterling his chance during Chelsea's pre-season tour but he failed to make the grade and fell back down the pecking order under the German manager.