A Premier League club has joined the race to sign Raheem Sterling who Chelsea are willing to sell for £20million this summer transfer window.
Sterling’s career at Stamford Bridge was over last summer when Enzo Maresca told the winger that he was no longer part of his plans.
The England international joined Arsenal on loan last season but it proved to be a disastrous move, as he scored just one goal in 28 appearances across all competitions.
While his stock has fallen over the past few seasons, the 30-year-old is still an experienced and well-regarded forward, with four Premier League titles to his name.
And with the World Cup next summer, he’ll be hoping a fresh start will boost his chances of returning to the Three Lions squad, with the last of his 82 caps won at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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There is much interest from foreign clubs including Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Serie A champions Napoli.
But The Telegraph now report that Sterling could make a short trip across west London as Fulham are also weighing up a move for the former Liverpool and Manchester City star.
Fulham are pursuing Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson, who spent last season on loan at Craven Cottage, but Marco Silva is keen to further bolster his attacking options.
It is said however, that if the Cottagers do move for Sterling, they will wait until the end of the transfer window, perhaps in an attempt to drive his price tag down.
The transfer seems to make sense for all parties involved, as the player is reportedly keen to stay in London where his family are settled.
Raheem Sterling Premier League stats
Clubs: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal
Appearances: 396
Goals: 123
Assists: 75
Trophies: Premier League (2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22), FA Cup (2018/19), League Cup (2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21)
Chelsea would also rather the player secure a permanent exit than a foreign loan as FIFA rules dictate that no club can send more than six players abroad on loan.
The Blues have many other players to offload who could fill those slots, including Carney Chukwuemeka to Borussia Dortmund and Mamadou Sarr to Strasbourg.
Fulham kick-off the new Premier League season on August 16 away to Brighton, with Chelsea taking on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge the following day.
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