Chelsea FC is considering options for Raheem Sterling ahead of the January transfer window. The 31-year-old forward is currently part of the club’s “bomb squad,” with no active members aside from him following Axel Disasi’s return to training.
Chelsea’s Plans for Sterling
The club prefers to sell Sterling but is open to alternatives, including terminating his contract or arranging a loan. Each option is made more complex due to his substantial salary of £325,000 per week, the highest at Stamford Bridge.
Contract Implications
Should Chelsea choose to terminate Sterling’s contract, they would likely have to pay the remaining £22 million due for the final 18 months of his deal. This financial burden complicates the decision-making process.
Previous Rumors and Preferences
Earlier, Chelsea explored potential loan moves to clubs like Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, but Sterling declined these opportunities. His preference for staying in London to be near his family significantly influenced his decision-making. Notably, he joined Chelsea in 2022 as the first major signing under Todd Boehly’s and Clearlake Capital’s ownership, transferring from Manchester City for £47.5 million.
Interest from Napoli
Reports indicate that Napoli is among the clubs interested in signing Sterling. During a press conference, Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s coach, expressed respect for Sterling but refrained from discussing his situation in detail. He said, “Now is not the right time to speak about his situation.”
Conclusion
- Raheem Sterling’s contract with Chelsea is under evaluation.
- Multiple outcomes, including a transfer, contract termination, or loan, may occur.
- His high wages present challenges for any potential deal.
