Fulham have revived their interest in a Chelsea forward after missing out on Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson who will sign for Brentford on transfer deadline day.
Nelson is among a number of players Mikel Arteta has been trying to move on all summer, a group that also includes Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The winger, who spent last season on loan at Fulham, had been linked with a return to Craven Cottage as well as Crystal Palace as a replacement for Eberechi Eze.
However, a different London club is set to land the 25-year-old, with Brentford close to agreeing a loan deal with Arsenal, which may include an option to buy next summer.
Manager Marco Silva has not been impressed with Fulham’s lack of transfer activity this summer, having signed just one player, goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, for less than £500,000 at the time of writing.
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Talks are ongoing for two wingers, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Kevin and AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, but a third option is also on the cards.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the Cottagers are back in the race to sign Raheem Sterling, who needs to leave Chelsea or risk spending the season on the sidelines.
Enzo Maresca told Sterling last summer that he has no future at Stamford Bridge having only signed from Manchester City in 2022 for £47.5million.
He managed to escape to Arsenal on loan on deadline day last year but it ended it being one of the worst transfers of the season, as he scored just one goal in 28 appearances.
The 30-year-old has been training away from Chelsea’s first-team and despite his strong reputation and previous success at the Etihad, interest has been slim.
Raheem Sterling Premier League stats
Clubs: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal
Appearances: 396
Goals: 123
Assists: 75
Trophies: Premier League (2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22), FA Cup (2018/19), League Cup (2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21)
It is said the England international wants to remain in the Premier League and preferably in London where his family are settled and Chelsea would be willing to loan him again despite initially wanting £20m.
West Ham and Palace have also been linked but a move to the latter seems highly unlikely after the Eagles signed Yeremy Pino, with Christantus Uche also set to arrive from Getafe on deadline day.
Sterling is among several ‘bomb-squad’ players Chelsea are trying to push out the door before the deadline, a group that also includes Ben Chilwell and Tyrique George.
More to follow…
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