Chelsea insist they have no complaints after being ordered to pay £3.5 million for striker Daniel Sturridge.
A Premier League tribunal decreed on Thursday that the Barclays Premier League leaders will have to pay the initial price for the player who joined them from Manchester City last summer, but the eventual fee could be as high as £6.5 million depending on the striker's appearances at club and international level.
A statement on Chelsea's official website following the announcement read: "We are content with the outcome of today's tribunal regarding Daniel Sturridge's transfer from Manchester City. The initial fee is very close to what we first offered. Any subsequent payments are directly linked to the success of the player and that is satisfactory to us."
Chelsea signed Sturridge last summer after his contract at Eastlands expired and had hoped to pay a maximum of £3m for him.
City were seeking up to £9m compensation after bringing him through the ranks.
The initial £3.5m will be topped up based on Sturridge's appearances for Chelsea and the senior England team.
Sturridge, who has played for the junior national sides up to under-21 level, has made eight appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, scoring two goals.
Source: PA
