Chelsea put £40-million limit on Raheem Sterling

Chelsea aren't willing to break the bank in their pursuit of Raheem Sterling.

The Premier League champions, who are believed to be unwilling to meet Liverpool's £50-million price tag, have put a £40-million limit on what they're willing to pay for the rising star, according to Sky Sports.

Chelsea's estimation would make Sterling the second-highest-paid transfer behind Fernando Torres (£50 million). The fee would be higher than that of Diego Costa (£32 million), Eden Hazard (£32 million), and Cesc Fabregas (£27 million).

Manchester City have already seen two of their bids get rejected by the Merseyside club, with the second reportedly worth £40 million. They're believed to have tabled a third bid closer to Liverpool's valuation of Sterling.