CRYSTAL PALACE have entered the race to sign Raheem Sterling, according to reports.
The Chelsea winger, 29, is on the hunt for an escape route out of Chelsea.
AlamyRaheem Sterling is a transfer target for Crystal Palace[/caption]
ReutersOliver Glasner wants a new attacker after losing Michael Olise[/caption]
New Blues boss Enzo Maresca does not see the former Manchester City star as part of his plans for this season.
And therefore Sterling is training away from the first-team squad, has been transfer listed by Chelsea and was granted leave after being frozen out.
He also had his No7 shirt ripped away from him and given to new signing Pedro Neto in a bitter blow.
Now according to the Standard, Palace are keen on exploring a deal to sign Sterling.
Eagles boss Oliver Glasner want a new attacker after selling Michael Olise to Bayern Munich – and failed in their quest to bring Wilfried Zaha back to Selhurst Park.
So Sterling could fit the bill – and enable the Englishman to stay in London which would be a major boost for his settled family.
However, any deal – whether that is a permanent transfer or loan – could be complicated due to his mammoth £325,000-a-week wages.
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With a week left of the transfer window, Sterling knows there is not much time to sort out his future after being pushed aside by Maresca alongside Ben Chilwell, Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga and others in the £258million bomb squad.
Aston Villa have also shown interest and even opened talks with the player’s representatives.
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Ilkay Gundogan is closing in on a stunning return to Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling is set to leave Chelsea this summer as the winger is not a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Elsewhere, Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the £29.9m signing of Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
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However, like Palace, Villa will not be able to match his current salary and therefore there is an acceptance Sterling will need to take a pay cut to stay in the Premier League.
Chelsea also know they must expect to take a whopping deficit on the £47.5m they paid City for him in 2022 as one of Todd Boehly’s first marquee signings.
Juventus could also make a move while Sterling has ruled out a switch to Saudi Arabia in the hope of resurrecting his England career.
Sterling played in all six of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies under Maresca.
But the no-nonsense Italian dropped a bombshell last Friday on the eve of the new Premier League season by informing Sterling he would not get game time.
That prompted a statement from Sterling’s camp who said: “As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.”
Ironically, Chelsea face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on September 1, just 36 hours after the transfer window closes.
AlamyEnzo Maresca has taken a no-nonsense approach at Stamford Bridge[/caption]
GettySterling played in pre-season but is now training away from the first team[/caption]
GettyWilfried Zaha was linked with a return to Selhurst Park[/caption]
Chelsea ratings vs Servette
CHELSEA sealed their first win under new manager Enzo Maresca as they beat Swiss minnows Servette.
Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke got the second-half goals to give the Blues a commanding lead in their Uefa Conference League play-off double header.
But it was far from convincing with Chelsea BOOED OFF at half-time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated the Blues stars…
Filip Jorgensen – 7
Made some very smart saves – especially late on as the visitors caused problems and came close to finding a goal to get back in.
Axel Disasi – 6
Kept things quiet down Chelsea’s right hand side having been started out of position at right-back. The Frenchman did not offer much going forwards but was more than solid enough defensively.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 6
An assured first start for the club since joining from Fulham on a free transfer. The defender was not caused any real problems and dominated in the air – a big reason Chelsea decided to snap him up.
Benoit Badiashile – 6
Solid enough defensively but looked awkward on the ball at times, especially when Chelsea were trying to pick a way through a solid midfield.
Renato Veiga – 5
Was given the task of moving inside from left-back and looked to struggle a lot at points, losing the ball cheaply on half way at one stage.
Moises Caicedo – 5
The midfielder was sent out in the holding role and hardly helped defensively by having Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Nkunku, a striker, ahead of him. Struggled to get a grip of midfield and dictate the game.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7
A very encouraging full debut for the summer signing – neat and positive on the ball and created some good chances for those ahead of him.
Pedro Neto – 6
A first start for his new club and the winger made some very encouraging runs down the right hand side. Will take time to settle but looks a very good option.
Christopher Nkunku – 6
Rather fortunate to win the penalty as it looked a touch harsh but stepped up and converted well.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 4
The definition of all bark, no bite. The Ukrainian winger has pace to burn and a huge bag of tricks but neither help him make any significant impact on games.
Continuing to play like that and Raheem Sterling might have a future here after all.
Marc Guiu – 6
Missed an absolute sitter to score his first goal for Chelsea.
After working so hard through the first half, Guiu turned a tap in into a howler when putting what should have been an easy finish straight at the scrambling Servette keeper.