Chelsea set to bid £8 million for teenager

Chelsea are ready to raid Manchester City with an £8million move for teenage striker Daniel Sturridge - and make him the new Didier Drogba. Roman Abramovich's club have the cash to snatch the 18-year old prospect who has been on their wish list for a couple of seasons, and rumour has it a three-man delegation representing Chelsea watched him playing last night.

The Stamford Bridge outfit know City have to wheel and deal to bring in new players for Mark Hughes and this could be the perfect time to try and snatch Sturridge. Birmingham-born Sturridge isn't 19 until next month but is already shaping up as a star of the future. He's overcome injuries to get into Hughes' first-team plans and has impressed for both England's Under-17 and Under-19 sides in recent times.

Chelsea do not have any strong young strikers coming through their ranks and would love to groom Sturridge to lead their attack in the future - with similarities to Drogba's strength and power striking. And although City will demand serious money for their latest star youngster it could still represent value for Chelsea, one of the few clubs who can afford to invest big cash on future talent.

Blues talent-spotter Frank Arnesen has been after Sturridge since he took the job and the Londoners almost got him to quit City before he'd signed a pro contract. I think Sturridge is obviously a very talented young player, but at the moment thats all he is. To pay £8 million pounds for a player to sit in your reserves is ridiculous, but then again it is Chelsea! I also think City could find a huge offer too good to refuse, especially with owner Thaksin Shinawatra's assets currently frozen in Thailand.