Chelsea are open to terminating Raheem Sterling's contract if a new club fail to agree a deal before deadline day, talkSPORT understands.
The 31-year-old is now the only member of Chelsea's so‑called 'bomb squad' after defender Axel Disasi returned to first-team training, even though there is also a strong chance the French centre-back will leave Stamford Bridge this month.
Sterling hasn't played for Chelsea since May 2024
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Sterling hasn't played for Chelsea since May 2024Credit: AFP
Chelsea prefer to sell Sterling, but a contract termination or a loan are not off the table from the club’s perspective.
However, talkSPORT understands Sterling would like a permanent exit, not a loan, having had one loan to Arsenal last season that didn't work out.
Sterling has around £22million remaining on his current deal, which is due to expire in 18 months.
That would make ending his contract expensive for Chelsea even if a settlement is agreed for less.
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Sterling had summer options with Fulham, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, but a move never materialised.
West Ham United also made an enquiry this winter but Sterling was not interested in a loan despite wanting to ideally remain in London.
Chelsea's Champions League opponents tonight Napoli are also believed to hold an interest in the England winger.
However, it remains to be seen whether Sterling is prepared to move outside of England having been reluctant to over the summer.
Chelsea are hoping to find a solution quickly, and ideally a sale before February 2, but all options are currently on the table.
Raheem Sterling playing for Chelsea
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Sterling's time at Stamford Bridge has seen his career go backwardsCredit: Getty
Rosenior was considering introducing Sterling to the first team but that isn't happening now
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Rosenior was considering introducing Sterling to the first team but that isn't happening nowCredit: AFP
Needs to end
When Chelsea signed Sterling from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, he was one of the first arrivals of the Todd Boehly era.
The fee of £50million for a proven Premier League goalscorer and serial winner looked to be a good deal for all involved.
The forward was also a key player for England at the time.
In his first year, the manager who signed him Thomas Tuchel left, but he still made 38 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.
The year after saw him make 41 appearances, and he was a key player for Chelsea.
But with Enzo Maresca's arrival, Sterling was informed he wouldn't be part of the squad and joined Arsenal for the 2024/25 season.
That move didn't really work out, and he hasn't kicked a ball since May 2025, the last day of the season against Southampton.
Sterling's statistics aren't too bad, but Maresca was never a fan
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Sterling's statistics aren't too bad, but Maresca was never a fan
Chelsea's treatment of Sterling led to calls for the PFA to step in and intervene.
This happened when the former Liverpool winger posted on his Instagram story appearing to show him heading to training at 8:21pm.
The winger was training on his own the whole time, and Gabby Agbonlahor asked for something to be done.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast at the time, he said: "For Raheem Sterling, yes, last season wasn't at his best. 17 Premier League games for Arsenal, only four starts, no goals, two assists. But he's only 30, Raheem Sterling now.
"82 England caps, 20 goals, four Premier League titles, five League Cups, one FA Cup. And he's training on his own, being treated so badly by the manager.
"This is the problem that I have with some fans, because they moan about players like Isak, like Wissa, wanting to leave. But when a club doesn't want you, they will treat you like absolute garbage.
"They will make you train at this time. They will make you sit in the changing room on your own, away from your teammates.
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"What about Raheem Sterling's mental health? What about [Axel] Disasi's mental health?"
Since then, Disasi is back, but Sterling remains exiled, so let's all hope for a sensible solution to this because this is a player who still has a lot to offer.