Reported Liverpool and Newcastle United target Daniel Sturridge has 15 days to prove himself on Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia according to FourFourTwo.com.
The 21-year-old striker impressed during a four-month loan spell at Bolton Wanderers last season, scoring eight goals in twelve matches for the Trotters.
But having grown frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge, Sturridge's Chelsea career hangs in the balance having found the net just nine times in 41 appearances for the Blues.
However, newly appointed manager Andre Villas-Boas has thrown the England U21 international a lifeline to determine whether or not he will remain in west London next season.
"This is one of the decisions we have to take," Villas-Boas explained to The Sun. "Daniel is a very, very interesting player with a tremendous future and is highly regarded by myself.
"I have 15 days in Asia to make the best decision and I need those four games to continue to assess."
Sturridge's availability will likely attract the attention of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish who is a known admirer of the player's talent.
Having already been busy in the summer transfer window with the acquisition of Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Alexander Doni, the Reds may look to add another striker to their Anfield ranks before drawing a line under business ahead of the new campaign.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew could provide Liverpool with competition for Sturridge's signature as Newcastle themselves are still on the look-out for a long-term replacement for Andy Carroll - who swapped St James' Park for Anfield in the January transfer window.
Chelsea's tour of the Far East kicks off with a game against a Malaysia XI on Thursday, where Sturridge could be given his chance to prove he has what it takes to succeed at Stamford Bridge, while Liverpool and Newcastle wait patiently in the wings for any developments over a potential transfer.
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