West Ham Pursues Raheem Sterling Amidst Competing Interest from Fulham

West Ham United, as reported by Ben Jacobs and ExWHUEmployee, has expressed interest in acquiring Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea this month. However, Sterling has indicated a preference for a permanent departure or, at the very least, a loan with an obligation to buy. Jacob Steinberg from The Guardian notes that the winger is hesitant about moving to West Ham due to the club’s precarious position at the bottom of the Premier League table. Additionally, Florian Plettenberg has suggested that Sterling may favor a transfer to Fulham, who currently sit 11th in the standings, 13 points clear of the Hammers.

Sterling has yet to play any minutes in the 2025-26 season. He joined Arsenal on loan during the 2024-25 campaign, where he made 28 appearances and scored a single goal, but the Gunners did not pursue a permanent signing. As the transfer window remains open, both Fulham and West Ham are keen to persuade Sterling regarding his next move.

Although Wrexham has been mentioned as a potential destination for Sterling, such speculation seems far-fetched. Upon his arrival at Arsenal, Sterling described the club as a ‘perfect fit’ for him, yet he was unable to convince manager Mikel Arteta to retain him.

Sterling remarked, “I’m buzzing. It’s one where we left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just like: ‘this is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.

“It’s a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this, where you can see that hunger, that desire, year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That’s exactly how I am as a person.

“Each year you want to get better and do better than the previous year. Hopefully I can gel really well with the boys and get going.

“It’s time now to meet the boys, get settled in and hopefully now see some game time and make my mark.”

Sterling will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the upcoming fixtures for both Fulham and West Ham. Fulham is set to face Liverpool, while West Ham will confront Wolverhampton Wanderers in a crucial match that carries significant implications for both clubs at the lower end of the table.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledges the necessity for proactive movements in the transfer window, stating, “We need to make the right moves in a very difficult transfer window to operate. The emphasis was not on quantity, but precision. West Ham’s recent recruitment history has oscillated between short-term fixes and longer-term gambles. This time, the manager is pressing for balance, experience, and immediate reliability.

“But we need to, so we can improve and have more options for the second half of the season.”

He further added, “I have a clear idea about everything. I have a clear idea because this is our job. It’s up to us to pass information to the club so the club is aware of what we need. It’s coming in a couple of days. The reflection is clear, so the sooner the better.”

West Ham has also been linked with potential signings of Lazio’s Taty Castellanos and Gil Vicente’s Pablo, both strikers who could help elevate the team away from the relegation zone if they adapt quickly to life in east London.