Fulham Eyes Sterling as Transfer Strategy Focuses on Pepi

A recent report by TEAMtalk indicates that Fulham is contemplating a move for Raheem Sterling, who, alongside defender Axel Disasi and striker David Datro Fofana, is part of a group of players currently training separately from Chelsea’s first-team squad.

According to the report, Chelsea is prepared to shoulder a substantial portion of Sterling’s reported £325,000-a-week wages to facilitate his exit during the winter transfer window.

However, the report concludes by stating that Fulham is prioritizing a second bid for Ricardo Pepi, the striker from PSV Eindhoven, after their initial offer of £26 million (€29.7m/$34.9m) was turned down earlier this week. Pepi, a 22-year-old USMNT forward, has demonstrated impressive form for Eredivisie leaders PSV this season, scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions, and netting 17 times in 28 games during the 2024-25 season.

Following a summer revelation from manager Maresca that Sterling has no future at Chelsea, the BBC reported that Fulham expressed interest in signing him. Sterling’s contract runs until June 2027, and he reportedly prefers to stay in London with his family, especially since his son Thiago joined Arsenal’s youth academy this past summer.

Interest in Sterling has also emerged from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli, all of which are competing in this season’s Champions League.

After failing to secure a summer transfer, Chelsea manager Maresca dismissed sympathy for Sterling in September, asserting that his father’s challenging life as a fisherman was more difficult than the situation faced by the so-called ‘bomb squad’ players at the club. He remarked, “I know it is not the best feeling for a player… but if you are not in the squad, you are not in the squad. It’s about any club in the world.”

Despite a rocky start to the season, Fulham has shown recent improvement, winning five of their last seven Premier League matches under manager Marco Silva. They have achieved victories against Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham, while also scoring in narrow defeats to Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

Currently, Fulham sits in 12th place, just four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea. Silva has made it clear that the team’s recent upturn in form will not alter their transfer strategy for January. When asked about the fixture congestion affecting all Premier League clubs, he acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the importance of adhering to their planned approach for the transfer window, stating, “We all agree what we need… The more quality & competition you have, the better you train, the better chance you have of being successful.”

Fulham’s next match will see them travel to face Oliver Glasner’s Palace on New Year’s Day, while Chelsea, coming off a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, will visit Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this Sunday. Fulham and Chelsea are set to meet in the league next Wednesday, January 7, at Craven Cottage.