Chelsea had trouble trying to offload Raheem Sterling in the last summer transfer window.
In the end, Chelsea were only able to send Sterling to Arsenal on loan. And with the Gunners deciding not to purchase the winger at the end of his loan spell, he is now back at Stamford Bridge.
So far this summer, Chelsea have also found it difficult to find a buyer for Sterling.
West Ham United have been linked with Sterling, as have a couple more Premier League teams. However, no one has actually bid for the 30-year-old yet.
Gabriel Agbonlahor as a pundit for Aston Villa v Liverpool in the Premier League
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Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks only a loan deal for Raheem Sterling is possible
As much as Chelsea will want to offload Sterling permanently, former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks the Club World Cup winners will have to sanction another loan move to get rid of him during this transfer window.
Speaking about Sterling potentially joining another Premier League side on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: “If you can get the right wages that you’re paying towards it from Chelsea, then I see it as a no-brainer because I don’t think anyone’s going to buy him.
“Two years left on his contract on that big salary, so I think a loan deal for a lot of these players is the only way.”
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West Ham are not the only English team who are thought to be interested in the England international.
Fulham are also said to have him on their radar, and it has been claimed that Sterling is ready to slash his salary in order to push through a move to Craven Cottage.
Raheem Sterling of Chelsea arrives at the stadium
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Is Raheem Sterling training with the Chelsea first team?
After last year’s pre-season, Sterling was frozen out of Chelsea’s first team. Fast forward to now, and that still remains the case.
Sterling is not with the main group and that is not expected to change as the former Manchester City and Liverpool star waits for an exit.
Ben Chilwell is in the same situation right now and does not appear to have as many options as his teammate.
It has been alleged that Chelsea could even terminate Chilwell‘s contract in their bid to get rid of the defender. At some point, it could be something that they have to consider doing with Sterling, though it will not be a cheap operation.