Raheem Sterling would consider a move to Manchester United but will not press ahead with a transfer from Chelsea until he has held further discussions with the club about his contractual situation.
Sterling and Chelsea are set to hold further talks in the coming days over his deal, which has three years to run and is believed to be worth in the region of £300,000 per week.
The 29-year-old’s deal at Chelsea guarantees to earn him some £40 million over the coming three seasons so he could sacrifice tens of millions of pounds if he joins a team that does not match his current wages and contract length.
Sterling is thought to be keen to leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis, after it was made clear he was no longer wanted by the club, but discussions could centre on issues such as whether Chelsea would pay some of his salary in the event of a loan move.
Discussions about Sterling’s personal terms are the next step in his seemingly inevitable exit from Stamford Bridge. Only after progress is made on the issue will the winger hold formal negotiations with interested clubs.
Telegraph Sport reported on Sunday that Chelsea are hoping United might accept a swap deal involving Sterling and Jadon Sancho.
Sterling ‘massive’ supporter of United
Sterling would not rule out a move to Old Trafford, not least because he was a “massive” supporter of the club as a child, although it remains to be seen if such an offer is forthcoming before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror in 2019, when he was a Manchester City player, Sterling said: “I shouldn’t really say this – not now, definitely not now – but when I was young I was a massive United fan. I had an old United kit, from when they won the last FA Cup. I was at the final in 2007.”
Sterling joined City from Liverpool in 2015 and spent seven years as a City player, winning four Premier League titles, before moving to Chelsea for £47.5 million in 2022.
He has been unceremoniously removed from Chelsea’s first-team fold in recent weeks and was even stripped of his squad number, which was handed to new signing Pedro Neto. Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea head coach, has said he prefers “different kinds of wingers”.
The uncertainty over Sterling’s future comes as Chelsea try to sign centre-forward Victor Osimhen. Their hopes reveived a boost on Monday when his agent seemingly dismissed the possibility of the Napoli striker moving to Saudi Arabia.
Roberto Calenda, his representative, said: “Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed with mutual satisfaction. He made history and when there were major offers (also this year) we always accepted the club’s decisions.
“It is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African footballer of the year, eighth at the Ballon d’Or, he still has so much to do in Europe. There is need [for] respect and balance.”
Related News :