Chelsea have approached Arsenal to offer them the opportunity to acquire winger Raheem Sterling, according to a report.
Sterling was unexpectedly left out of Chelsea’s squad for the season opener, and manager Enzo Maresca has publicly advised the 29-year-old to find a new team before the Friday deadline, warning that he will not feature in any matches this season if he stays.
Manchester United have been contacted and have shown interest in a potential swap deal involving Jadon Sancho moving to Chelsea in exchange. Chelsea is interested but must resolve the details of Sterling’s remaining three years on his substantial £325,000-a-week contract.
Meanwhile, Chelsea has also notified Arsenal about Sterling’s availability. Arsenal is looking for a new forward and had previously been interested in Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, who has decided to stay with his current team for at least another season despite interest from several top European clubs.
Chelsea hopes Arsenal will consider Sterling, who has recently received high praise from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. If Arsenal pursues the deal, it is unlikely they or Manchester United will match Sterling’s current salary, so Chelsea might need to offer additional compensation to facilitate his departure. The possibility of Sterling staying at Stamford Bridge remains on the table given the complexities of the situation.Chelsea’s decision to approach Arsenal with the opportunity to acquire Raheem Sterling signals their intent to offload the 29-year-old winger, who has been left out of the squad for their season opener. Enzo Maresca’s public stance that Sterling must find a new team or face a season on the sidelines has added urgency to the situation. However, the complexities of his contract, which still has three years remaining at a hefty £325,000-a-week salary, make a transfer challenging.
Manchester United’s interest in a potential swap deal involving Jadon Sancho adds an intriguing dynamic. Both clubs would benefit from fresh options on the wings, but negotiations would need to address the significant financial implications, particularly the salary disparities between Sancho and Sterling. Chelsea might have to consider additional incentives to smooth over these differences, as neither Arsenal nor Manchester United is likely to match Sterling’s current wages.
For Arsenal, who have been exploring options to strengthen their forward line, Sterling presents an experienced alternative to targets like Athletic Club’s Nico Williams. With Williams committed to staying in Spain for another season, Arsenal might find Sterling an appealing short-term option, especially given Mikel Arteta’s previous praise for the player. However, Arsenal would also need to carefully consider the financial aspects of the deal, and any move would likely depend on Chelsea’s willingness to offer compensation.
As the deadline approaches, Chelsea’s push to resolve Sterling’s future will depend on their flexibility in negotiations with both Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as the willingness of these clubs to take on Sterling’s substantial contract.
