Raheem Sterling’s Transfer Dilemma: Options Beyond London

Raheem Sterling spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal in an attempt to rejuvenate his struggling career. Despite the optimism surrounding his potential resurgence under Mikel Arteta—his former manager at Manchester City—Sterling managed to net only once in 28 appearances for the Gunners. Following his return to Chelsea, he was unable to secure a new move during the summer transfer window, resulting in him sitting on the sidelines for the season’s opening months alongside fellow outcast Axel Disasi.

An experienced 82-time England international, Sterling is now likely to leave Stamford Bridge permanently before the transfer window closes. West Ham and Fulham are the clubs most frequently linked to him, amid reports that the winger would prefer to keep his family settled in their London base.

However, BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel suggests this narrative may be misleading, asserting that Sterling is open to considering offers from teams beyond the capital. Mokbel stated: “There is significant and growing interest in Raheem Sterling. He has not featured prominently at Chelsea, and while West Ham and Fulham have expressed interest, those close to Sterling indicate that he is not exclusively focused on staying in London. He is receptive to any opportunities, provided they align with his family’s needs and, importantly, support his football development moving forward.”

Recently, reports have emerged that if West Ham and Fulham fail to secure Sterling, Crystal Palace may target him as a ‘last resort’. Palace is keen to enhance their attacking options this month and has already signed Brennan Johnson from Tottenham for £33.5 million ($45 million). They are also considering Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who is also on West Ham’s radar, amidst concerns regarding Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future, especially with interest from Manchester United.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, whose contract expires this summer, has previously criticized the club’s summer transfer dealings, which resulted in the acquisition of only a reserve goalkeeper and backup players. He has since softened his stance, stating: “No one is to blame. I may have been a bit harsh when I mentioned we could have added more players given the circumstances. However, I constantly reflect on whether I could have assessed the situation more effectively during the summer.”

The January transfer window will extend into early February this year, with the Premier League deadline set for Monday, February 2, at 19:00 (GMT). Sterling will have until then to find a new club, making it intriguing to see if interest materializes from clubs across England or abroad, especially given his newfound openness to leave London.