On Tuesday, shock reports emerged suggesting that West Ham United could come to the rescue of four-time Premier League champion-turned-Chelsea misfit Raheem Sterling.
While it was claimed at the beginning of the window that West Ham were prioritising young players with the potential for substantial improvement, the reality has turned out to be something rather different.
Yes, the Hammers did spend £19 million bringing former Slavia Prague starlet El Hadji Malick Diouf to the London Stadium.
But, weeks later, West Ham signed 33-year-old Callum Wilson alongside Kyle Walker-Peters; the free-agent full-back who will be 29 by the time the 2025/26 season comes to an end.
Having turned 30 himself in December, West Ham landing Raheem Sterling would cast further doubt on exactly how serious the club are about substantially reducing the age of Graham Potter’s squad.
Hammers News can now confirm, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that a loan deal for the former Manchester City and Liverpool forward might just be on the cards this month. But West Ham United cannot currently be considered at the front of the queue.
Arsenal Unveil New Signing Raheem Sterling
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Crystal Palace or Fulham more likely than West Ham United for Raheem Sterling
It is no secret that Raheem Sterling is not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans at Stamford Bridge.
The 82-cap England international was farmed out on loan to Arsenal a year ago. Now, as Bailey explains, another short-term deal appears the most likely scenario at present.
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Sterling wants to stay in London ideally – his son, Thiago, joined Arsenal’s academy in 2024 – which potentially opens the door to West Ham. It is understood, though, that Crystal Palace and Fulham are currently the more likely destinations.
Graham Potter watches on during Brighton and Hove Albion FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
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Graham Potter praised Sterling’s Champions League record at Chelsea
With West Ham hot on the heels of a goalkeeper, another striker, and an athletic, ball-carrying central midfielder, a winger is far from at the top of Potter and Kyle Macaulay’s wishlist, even if the manager did take a liking to Sterling during his brief spell in the Chelsea dugout.
John Victor will join after being omitted by Botafogo from their Copa do Brasil clash with Red Bull Bragantino today.
West Ham have agreed personal terms with Mads Hermansen of Leicester City too, while Shea Charles, Mateus Fernandes, Raphael Onyedika and Ezequiel Palacios appear to remain on their midfield shortlist.
“You can see his quality that he brings,” Potter said as Sterling opened the scoring in a 2-0 Champions League last-16 victory over Borussia Dortmund in 2023, only weeks before the manager’s sacking.
“He’s a really important player for us. I think the last two home games you could see that, see what he brings; He attacks the back line well.
“His goalscoring record in the Champions League speaks for itself. He’s a proven campaigner in that competition.”
In addition to his four Premier League winners’ medals, Sterling has 123 top-flight goals, a further 20 for the England national team, and was named the Football Writer’s Player of the Year back in 2019.
However, even the man himself would admit that his output has tailed off considerably since bidding farewell to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Sterling scored only once in 28 Arsenal appearances, remaining a bit-part player throughout the campaign.
The Daily Mail reports that Sterling is now training separately at Cobham, away from the rest of Maresca’s squad. He is also conspicuous by his absence from the ‘Players’ section of the official Chelsea website.