Raheem Sterling is officially a free agent after Chelsea confirmed his departure on Wednesday, giving him five days to sign for a new club before the transfer window slams shut
COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Raheem Sterling #7 of Chelsea plays in a pre-season match against Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
Raheem Sterling has become a free agent(Image: Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
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It's finally over: Raheem Sterling is no longer a Chelsea player. Sterling, 31, has seen his £325,000-a-week contract terminated and is free to join a new club.
The Blues released a statement on Wednesday, confirming the news that everyone had grown to expect during Sterling's exile this season. After the forward was first frozen out in August 2024, a loan spell with Arsenal quickly put him back in the spotlight.
Upon his return to Chelsea, however, the club's stance hadn't changed, so he began training with their 'bomb squad'. Sterling had chances to leave in the summer, with the Blues arranging loan deals with both Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen.
Fulham
Chelsea's closest neighbours, Fulham, could do with a star signing like Sterling to solidify their European ambitions. Marco Silva's squad has looked very much the same over the past couple of seasons and consistency has paid off.
The Cottagers are seventh in the Premier League table, with every chance of qualifying for the Europa League or Conference League, while the words 'Champions League' are even being whispered. Sterling would bring a wealth of experience from playing in Europe and more specifically serve as a replacement Adama Traore, who's joined West Ham.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 7: Fulham's Raul Jimenez celebrates after Harry Wilson had scored his side's second goal during the Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on January 7, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Fulham are pushing to qualify for Europe(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Crystal Palace
January has been a month to forget for Crystal Palace. A humiliating FA Cup defeat, the sale of captain Marc Guehi, manager Oliver Glasner doing his dirty laundry in the media, and no wins in the Premier League - the Eagles need something to get soaring again.
How about Sterling, then? Palace have already brought in Brennan Johnson to bolster their attack, but the 31-year-old would surely give Glasner's team a greater chance of avoiding being sucked into a relegation battle, as they currently sit eight points above the drop zone.
Crystal Palace's English midfielder #20 Adam Wharton (R) is shown a red card by English referee Darren England during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park in south London on January 25, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
Crystal Palace lost 3-1 against Chelsea on Sunday(Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
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West Ham
Speaking of the relegation battle, West Ham are in the thick of it. Back-to-back wins for Nuno Espirito Santo's men have boosted their hopes of survival, but they remain 17th and in serious of dropping out of the Premier League for the first time since 2011.
Sterling would link up with former England team-mate Callum Wilson and provide depth to a forward line which is starting to flourish. West Ham have been happy to splash the cash in recent years, so his potential wage demands could be less of a problem compared to Palace and Fulham's budgets.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United appears dejected after Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest (not pictured) scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Nottingham Forest at London Stadium on January 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by West Ham United FC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
West Ham are in real danger of relegation(Image: West Ham United FC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
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Brentford
When Brentford were promoted to the top flight in 2021, Sterling was at the top of his game. A mainstay for both Manchester City and England, you'd have been laughed at if you suggested that only five years later, Sterling would actually be attainable for the Bees on a free.
Yes, the four-time Premier League winner isn't exactly a model Brentford signing, but the addition of Jordan Henderson - another of Sterling's old England pals - shows that Keith Andrews' side aren't averse to bringing in an established star who's the wrong side of 30. After failing to score in their last two games, Sterling might be just what Europe-chasing Brentford need.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 7: Igor Thiago of Brentford celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Sunderland at Gtech Community Stadium on January 7, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Brentford's rise has continued this season(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Newcastle
Finally, we go outside of London and all the way up to Newcastle for a less likely move. Eddie Howe's men are another side struggling for goals and their squad is once again being stretched by competing on all fronts.
The Magpies are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, the FA Cup fourth round and can qualify for the Champions League last 16 if they beat the holders, Paris Saint-Germain, on Wednesday. Sterling's addition would give them the requisite pedigree in order to go deep into various competitions, and establish themselves as top-five regulars after an indifferent first half of the season.