Chelsea have named their asking price for Raheem Sterling and the former Arsenal star reportedly has a preference over which club to sign for.
It’s been a busy summer for Chelsea already, having lifted the Club World Cup and spent over £210million on seven new signings.
But while they’ve had great success in buying players, the Blues are struggling to sell off their large number of unwanted stars.
While they have managed to sanction transfers for Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrovic, a new ‘bomb-squad’ has assembled at Stamford Bridge.
Among those up for sale are Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
The most famous name in the ‘bomb-squad’ is Sterling, who, on the eve of last season, was told by Enzo Maresca that he was no longer wanted at Chelsea.
The winger joined Arsenal on loan but endured perhaps the worst season of his career, scoring just one goal in 28 appearances across all competitions.
Predictably, the Gunners have no interest in bringing him back to the Emirates, opting to sign Madueke instead, with Sterling now facing an uncertain future.
The Sun report that Chelsea are open to selling the 82-cap England international for £20m, less than half what they paid Manchester City for him three years ago.
However, progress on an exit has been slow, with no talks held between the club and the player, with his whopping £325,000-a-week wages set to be a problem.
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)
Few clubs can match that salary demand, so it seems likely that Sterling will want to negotiate a compensation package with the Blues first before securing a permanent transfer.
Moreover, it is said that just like last summer the 30-year-old has very little interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League or the MLS.
It would seem that Sterling wants to sign for a Premier League club, preferably one in London where his family is settled, with his eight-year-old son Thiago recently joining Arsenal’s academy.
Crystal Palace showed interest in signing the forward last summer but it remains to be seen whether they or any other top-flight capital club – Tottenham, Brentford, Fulham or West Ham – are keen following his poor 2024/25 campaign.
Paul Merson recommends Leeds for Raheem Sterling
Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes newly-promoted Leeds United would be a good fit for Sterling, telling Sky Sports in April: ‘They’re a young team, they like to play attacking football.
‘He’s very good in the dressing room and a good team player. He’s got all the experience in the world, he’s won Premier Leagues.
‘For me, that wouldn’t be a bad move for Leeds or for Sterling. He’d be going to a massive, huge club and the expectations are not as high.
‘If they finish 17th in the Premier League next year they’ve pulled up trees. That would be one that would tick the box for me.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.