Chelsea In Pole Position After Sturridge's Contract Talks Stumble

Chelsea are favourites to sign England's hottest teenage striker Daniel Sturridge in January, following a breakdown in contract talks between the player and Manchester City.

The Stamford Bridge club are taking the latest wrangle involving the 19-year-old as a signal for them to move and could even include Mark Hughes' target Wayne Bridge as part of a £10million deal.

Sturridge is considered the most exciting graduate of Jim Cassell's famed Manchester City Academy since Shaun Wright-Phillips but he is worried about a lack of opportunity, with the club's new owners keen to bring in world-famous strikers like Argentine Sergio Aguero.

Although Sturridge has attracted interest from virtually all the Premier League's big clubs in the past two years, Chelsea's rivals are now backing away from a fight as they believe his move to Stamford Bridge is virtually a done deal.

Aston Villa had harboured hopes that Birmingham-born Sturridge might consider a return "home".

Although the teenager would not be cheap, he is affordable as he is out of contract in the summer. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich no longer wants to compete with City for superstars like Aguero and wants his club to break even by 2010-11.

Sturridge has scored only one goal this season and Hughes even picked Welsh youngster Ched Evans ahead of him.

The City manager has bemoaned the lack of experienced strikers at the club and is ready to sacrifice the teenager to improve other areas of the team.

Another player on his way out of Manchester City is forward Nery Castillo, who has revealed his desire to move to Spain next season. The Mexico international is on loan at Eastlands until December but hopes to quit Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.