Raheem Sterling is eyeing a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge and wants to secure a move to Fulham, ending his Chelsea exile after turning down a potential move to West Ham.
Raheem Sterling may find his way from Chelsea to Fulham, among the clubs linked with the unpopular winger, but the unpopular star has rejected a move to West Ham.
The Cottage and West Ham were both interested in the 31-year-old, but the player turned down offers from the Hammers and now expects Fulham to step up their interest in him, The Times reports. The club considered a move for Sterling earlier this year.
Back in the summer, Sterling, who was part of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’, was reluctant to join either Juventus or Bayer Leverkusen as he wanted to move to another London club to be closer to his family.
It is believed that Sterling only wants to leave Chelsea on a permanent contract and not on loan again. Last season, he had a brief stint at Arsenal, reuniting with Mikel Arteta but still continuing to play for the team.
He subsequently returned to Chelsea, but was not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans. It remains to be seen whether the situation will change under another manager after the Italian international leaves the club on New Year’s Day. However, as it stands, Sterling does not want to leave on loan unless there is an obligation to buy him out.
read more: Chelsea star hints at further departures after Enzo Maresca’s departureread more: Three reasons for Enzo Maresca’s breakup revealed, Chelsea decide on next manager
West Ham are already set to spend more than £40m on two new forwards in a bid to give their survival hopes a boost. The Hammers sit firmly in the bottom three, but a deal for Lazio striker Tati Castellanos has been floated. He is set to cost £25 million.
Personal terms with Castellanos are yet to be agreed, but they have already signed Gil Vicente forward Pablo in a £17m deal to add more goals up front.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who is getting the chance to strengthen his squad for the first time, also wants to add a winger this month, with Fulham’s Adama Traore his preferred option. If the Spaniard ends up leaving Craven Cottage, it could help Sterling’s transfer hopes.
Sterling was hopeful of a successful move to Chelsea in 2023 as his stock at Manchester City declined. However, the winger, who was previously named FWA Player of the Year, has endured a difficult period in the capital and has not been able to regain the form he once showed under manager Pep Guardiola. He has played 81 games for the Blues and scored 19 goals.
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