Raheem Sterling is expected to leave Chelsea before the January transfer window closes on Monday, with the club actively negotiating a resolution to his situation. The 31-year-old winger has been frozen out of the squad and been training away from the first-team group as part of Chelsea’s infamous ‘bomb squad’ since the start of the season. Sterling currently earns over £300,000 per week with 18 months remaining on his contract worth more than £25 million.

Chelsea is keen to remove his substantial wages from their books, and sources confirm a solution is expected to be found before the deadline. Sterling has rejected loan moves and is demanding a permanent exit, with potential interest from clubs including Napoli, Fulham, and others ready to explore possibilities.

Current Situation at Chelsea

Sterling has not featured in a single competitive match for Chelsea this season after returning from a disappointing loan spell at Arsenal. New head coach Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Sterling will not be reintegrated into the senior squad, effectively ending his hopes of reviving his Chelsea career. The 82-cap England international has been excluded from Chelsea’s Premier League squad and remains sidelined despite the club’s managerial change.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 18: Raheem Sterling of Arsenal after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at Emirates Stadium on May 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Aspect	Details
Current Club	Chelsea FC
Position	Right Winger/Left Winger
Age	31 years old
Contract Length Remaining	18 months (until June 2027)
Weekly Wage	£300,000+ per week
Appearances This Season	0
Transfer Status	Expected to leave
Preference	Permanent move only
Preference Location	London-based club, but open to Europe

Career at Chelsea

Sterling arrived at Stamford Bridge in July 2022 from Manchester City for £47.5 million as one of the first major signings following Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s takeover. He was immediately installed as the club’s highest-paid player, but the move has proven to be one of the most financially disastrous transfers in the club’s history.

Chelsea Statistics	Performance
Total Appearances	81 across all competitions
Goals Scored	19
Assists	15
Period	July 2022 – Present
Loan Spell	Arsenal 2024-25 season
Managerial Changes	4 managers
Status	Highest-paid player despite exclusion

Despite occasional moments of quality, Sterling struggled to establish consistency and was hampered by tactical uncertainty and multiple managerial changes. His final appearance for Chelsea came against Bournemouth in May, when he showed a glimpse of his old form with a well-taken finish. The situation worsened significantly when previous manager Enzo Maresca publicly admitted Sterling would find minutes hard to come by, effectively signaling the end of his Chelsea career.

Potential Transfer Destinations

Several clubs have expressed interest in Sterling’s services. West Ham made an approach for Sterling, but the winger rejected a loan move as he is only interested in a permanent transfer. Fulham had shown interest in Sterling, but has not come forward with an offer. Napoli are also weighing up a possible deal and will get in touch with Sterling’s agents.

Interested Club	Status	Details
Napoli	Active Interest	Italian Serie A club exploring possibilities
Fulham	Previous Interest	London-based, Sterling’s preferred destination
West Ham	Rejected	Loan approach rejected by Sterling
European Clubs	Open	Sterling open to experience outside England

Sterling has made it clear he will not accept another loan deal, nor move to the MLS or Saudi Arabia. His family is settled in west London, which explains his preference for London-based clubs, though he has recently signaled a change of heart and is now open to pursuing opportunities abroad if the right offer materializes.

Chelsea’s Position

Chelsea wants Sterling gone to clear nearly £25 million in remaining wages from their salary structure. The club has ruled out paying him off to terminate his contract and is instead looking for a permanent buyer. Chelsea remains open to negotiating a solution with Sterling’s representatives before the January deadline, with all parties pushing to resolve the situation quickly.

Previous Loan Spell

Sterling’s loan stint at Arsenal during the 2024-25 season did not go as planned, with the player struggling to make an impact at the Emirates. His inability to impress even on loan has complicated matters, as several clubs became hesitant about committing to a deal following his underwhelming performances.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Raheem Sterling of Arsenal before the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace FC at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

FAQs

Why is Raheem Sterling expected to leave Chelsea?

Raheem Sterling is expected to leave Chelsea because he has been frozen out of the squad and is training away from the first-team group. New head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed Sterling will not be reintegrated into the senior squad, making his departure inevitable. Chelsea is also keen to remove his £300,000-per-week wages from their books.

What type of deal is Sterling looking for?

Sterling is only interested in a permanent transfer and has rejected loan approaches from clubs like West Ham. He previously had a disappointing loan spell at Arsenal and is determined to find a club where he can play regularly on a permanent basis without temporary arrangements.

Which clubs are interested in signing Raheem Sterling?

Several clubs have shown interest in Sterling. Napoli from Italy are exploring a possible deal, while Fulham has previously expressed interest and remains a potential destination. Sterling’s preference is to remain in London, but he is now open to playing abroad if the right offer comes in.

How much is Raheem Sterling earning at Chelsea?

Raheem Sterling earns more than £300,000 per week at Chelsea, with approximately 18 months remaining on his contract. His total remaining salary is worth more than £25 million, making him one of the club’s highest-paid players despite being excluded from the squad.

What happened during Sterling’s previous loan spell?

Raheem Sterling was loaned to Arsenal for the 2024-25 season, but had a disappointing spell. His failure to make a significant impact at the Emirates has made potential buyers hesitant about committing to a permanent deal, as many clubs were watching to see if he could revive his form away from Chelsea.