Raheem Sterling is expected to leave Chelsea by the end of the winter transfer window, with the club and the winger close to resolving a long-running impasse in the coming days. Sterling has not played for Chelsea since May 2024 and has trained away from the first-team squad since last summer. Talks are ongoing with his representatives ahead of the Feb. 2 deadline.
Raheem Sterling expected to leave Chelsea as talks near deadline-day solution
Raheem Sterling is expected to leave Chelsea by the end of the winter transfer window, with a solution anticipated in the next few days before Deadline Day on Feb. 2. The report said Chelsea and Sterling are close to ending a drawn-out stand-off that has kept the winger out of the picture despite remaining on the club’s payroll.
Sterling has not played for Chelsea since May 2024, yet has continued as one of the club’s best-paid players on a reported £325,000 a week. After spending last season on loan at Arsenal, where he made 28 appearances, Sterling has been training away from Chelsea’s first-team squad since last summer when a move could not be agreed during the window.
Chelsea are now in talks with Sterling and his representatives, with a resolution expected before the window closes at 7 p.m. on Monday evening. Sterling has 18 months left on a contract that, according to the report, could cost Chelsea £25 million if he stays until it expires in the summer of 2027.
The report added that Sterling does not want another loan move. That leaves Chelsea needing to arrange a permanent deal in the next few days or reach a compromise agreement that would allow Sterling to leave as a free agent this month.
Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £50 million in the summer of 2022, signing a five-year deal. The report said the transfer was completed two months after Chelsea were bought by new American owners, during a window when co-owner Todd Boehly was acting as the club’s interim sporting director.
