Raheem Sterling’s future at Chelsea is now under serious doubt following a fiery statement from his camp over the weekend.
The England winger was excluded from the squad for Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester City, a decision which has now thrown his career at the club into uncertainty.
Sterling’s camp reacted swiftly, demanding clarity on his omission, leaving 6 potential suitors circling ahead of the transfer window’s end.
🚨🔵 Chelsea fully support Maresca’s technical decision on Raheem Sterling not being part of the squad vs Man City.
It was communicated on Friday and the club is 100% supportive with Maresca, fully behind him. pic.twitter.com/chY0Q6pa6Y
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 19, 2024
At 29 years old, Sterling is still one of the highest earners at Stamford Bridge, pocketing a massive £325,000 per week. Newcastle is one of the few clubs that could afford him, especially if they offload Anthony Gordon, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Liverpool may entertain the idea of bringing Sterling back to Anfield. Though relations were tense after his 2015 departure, a move could reignite his career under Arne Slot’s management, especially if their pursuit of Gordon falls through.
Another potential suitor is Juventus. The Serie A giants are in the market for a new winger, and a deal could be struck if Chelsea is willing to sell for cash. Juventus had shown interest in Sterling earlier this window, which might make this a smoother transition.
Crystal Palace, following Michael Olise’s £50 million transfer to Bayern Munich, could also be in the mix. With a healthy budget and the need for a winger, the Eagles might present an appealing option for Sterling to stay in London, though they’ve only finished in the top half of the Premier League once since 2015.
Despite a focus on youth, PSG could also be a landing spot. With stars like Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi gone, the Parisian club may see Sterling as an experienced addition who can support their young talents like Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola.
Lastly, Saudi Arabia cannot be ruled out. Sterling rejected a massive offer from the Saudi Pro League last summer, but with his situation at Chelsea deteriorating, he may reconsider a move to the Gulf if a new offer comes in, as it would allow him to maintain his current earnings.
