TalkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor says West Ham should consider making an offer for Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling during the January transfer window.
The 31-year-old has not kicked a ball in anger since he returned from his loan spell at Arsenal last summer, and he has been placed in the Blues’ so-called ‘Bomb Squad’ along with Axel Disasi. Speaking about Sterling’s situation, Agbonlahor said:
“I think he could do a job [for West Ham]! I don’t think he’ll go to the top half of the Premier League. They won’t touch him.”
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“But it’s a shame to see him go out like this. Hopefully, they sort it out in January.”
Should West Ham consider signing the forward?
There is no doubt that head coach Nuno Espirito Santo could do with another option on the left flank. Crysencio Summerville has been plagued with injuries since moving to the London Stadium at the start of last season.
If Sterling can be signed on loan or brought in on the cheap, then you could make a case for taking a chance on him until the summer.
Sterling comes with a lot of baggage
The England international takes home a wage of £325,000 a week, which is more than double that of West Ham’s top two highest earners: captain Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
Even if Sterling is willing to take a substantial pay cut, he hasn’t played any football for more than six months. He will be lacking match sharpness, which is not ideal with the Irons needing to pick up points quickly to get themselves out of relegation trouble.
Many also feel that he has lost the edge that he had earlier in his career at Liverpool and Manchester City. With all taken into consideration, signing him comes with a great deal of risk, even if it is financially possible.
Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here