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Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling approaches a potential January departure from Stamford Bridge. Leeds United and Crystal Palace express keen interest in securing the 31-year-old England international. This development emerges as Sterling remains sidelined from first-team action under manager Enzo Maresca.
Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022 for £50 million. He aimed to revive his career after a dip in form at City. In his debut season, he scored nine goals across all competitions. However, injuries and inconsistent performances limited his impact. Last term, he managed 10 goals in 43 appearances but fell out of favor.
Maresca excludes Sterling from Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad this season. The decision stems from tactical mismatches and squad depth. Sterling trains with the under-21s, fueling speculation about his future. Chelsea seeks to offload his high wages to comply with financial regulations.
Leeds United eyes Sterling to bolster their promotion push in the Championship. Daniel Farke’s side sits third in the table, chasing automatic return to the Premier League. They value Sterling’s experience from winning titles at City. His pace and creativity could ignite their attack alongside players like Willy Gnonto.
Crystal Palace also pursues Sterling aggressively. Oliver Glasner’s team hovers mid-table in the Premier League. They need wing options after Michael Olise’s departure. Sterling’s proven goal-scoring record appeals to Palace. He could partner Eberechi Eze effectively in their counterattacking setup.
Sterling’s £300,000 weekly salary poses the biggest hurdle. Few clubs can afford this wage without Chelsea subsidizing a portion. Leeds and Palace negotiate loan deals or permanent transfers with reduced terms. Chelsea considers terminating his contract to facilitate a free move.
