The nineteen year old made 26 appearances for the blues, scoring 4 times since his debut in February 2007. Sturridge turned down the offer of a new contract but, with his current deal now finished, he is unable to move on a Bosman transfer as he is under 24 and therefore his fee will be decided by a tribunal.
City are looking for a development fee of around £10m but Chelsea are only prepared to pay £3m for City's 2009 player of the Year. Manager Mark Hughes said Sturridge had been offered a 'good deal' at this stage of his career, but it was refused.
Sturridge joins Darius Vassell who's off to Turkey, Dietmar Hamann who looks like being Hull City bound, Michael Ball and Danny Mills out of the eastlands exit door as Hughes' summer clearout continues.