Raheem Sterling is expected to leave Chelsea by the end of the winter transfer window.
Sterling and Chelsea are close to finding a solution within days, which would end the long-running standoff between the club and the winger until deadline day on February 2.
Sterling has not played for Chelsea since May 2024, despite remaining one of the club’s highest-paid players on £325,000 per week.
He made 28 appearances on loan at Arsenal last season but has been training away from Chelsea’s first-team squad since last summer. This is because no agreement was reached on the transfer during this period.
Chelsea are currently in talks with Sterling and his representatives and are expected to find a solution before the 7pm deadline on Monday.
He has 18 months left on his contract, which will cost Chelsea £25m when it expires in the summer of 2027, and he will have plenty in his own right.
Sterling does not want to sign another loan deal, so a compromise agreement will have to be reached in the coming days that will either see a permanent deal go through or make him a free agent.
Sterling signed a five-year deal when Chelsea signed him from Manchester City for £50m in the summer of 2022.
The deal was struck just two months after the new American owners took over Chelsea and while co-owner Todd Boly was acting as the club’s interim sporting director.
Chelsea’s Palmer ‘Untouchable’ on the Manchester United link
Chelsea star Cole Palmer
Chelsea consider Cole Palmer, who has been linked with Manchester United, as “untouchable”.
Palmer is under contract until 2033 and is seen as a key player for the club’s future.
Recent reports suggest the England international is feeling uneasy in London and is open to a move to Manchester United in a bid to return to the North West. But Chelsea believe the player is happy at Stamford Bridge and so does manager Liam Rosenior.
Asked if Palmer was ‘untouchable’ and happy at the club, Rosenior replied: “Yes, he is. That’s as simple as that.”
“Cole is an amazing player, like (Moises Caicedo) sitting next to me and a lot of the players in the group.
“I’m not surprised by the timing (of the rumours). A new manager comes in and all of a sudden people start to get anxious. That’s not true. Cole is here, he’s very happy and I can’t wait to see him on the pitch.”
“There is no reason to have confidence (from Chelsea directors). It is too unrealistic. It comes from everywhere and there is nothing there. There is no reason to have a conversation. That is where I am.
“Cole is very happy. We have had numerous conversations with him about how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him because he loves being here and wants to be a Chelsea player.”
“We can’t stop speculation, but some speculations are so far from the truth that they don’t need to be discussed.”
Jacquet prefers move to Chelsea
Stade Rennai’s Jeremy Jacquet watches the Ligue 1 match between Stade Rennai FC 1901 and Paris Saint-Germain FC.
wren center back jeremy jacket Despite interest from several teams, he said he would prefer to join Chelsea.
Talks are ongoing between the two clubs, with the Ligue 1 side hoping to keep the 20-year-old until the summer.
Jacquet has made 18 appearances for Rennes this season after spending last season on loan at Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot.
