Chelsea face a battle to keep Daniel Sturridge after Arsenal took significant steps towards a shock summer swoop.
Sturridge, 22, is the Blues’ top-scoring forward this season with 10 goals, but sources close to the player claim he is not happy with his role as a right winger under Andre Villas-Boas.
And Arsenal’s influential chief scout Steve Rowley has put the wheels in motion to effect a surprise switch.
Sturridge wants to negotiate an improved contract, yet Chelsea are unwilling to do so as he still has two-and-a-half years left on his current deal.
And with the likes of Hulk and Edinson Cavani on Villas-Boas’ shopping list, Sturridge’s current wide role is likely to continue.
