Chelsea and Raheem Sterling reached an agreement for the player to leave Stamford Bridge early and the former Manchester City star has no shortage of suitors willing to sign him up
18:43, 29 Jan 2026Updated 18:54, 29 Jan 2026
Raheem Sterling is looking for a new club after leaving Chelsea on Wednesday(Image: Darren Staples/AFP)
Raheem Sterling’s representatives are in discussions with seven different elite level clubs after his contract at Chelsea was terminated by mutual consent on Wednesday.
The former Manchester City star, 31, had been frozen out by the Blues prior to his departure and spent last season on loan at Arsenal. He became Chelsea’s highest earner with a weekly pay packet of £325,000-a-week after joining them for £47.5million back in the summer of 2022 but failed to replicate the form that made him a regular in a Manchester City team that dominated domestically.
Despite speculation in the summer, a move away for Sterling failed to materialise. But with the former England winger now a free agent, he seemingly has no shortage of suitors.
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd miss out on two deals, Palmer latest, Arsenal and Liverpool newsREAD MORE: 5 clubs Raheem Sterling could join before deadline day as Chelsea finally announce exit
Sky Sports report that the player’s representatives are in talks with seven ‘Champions League level’ clubs who would like to sign Sterling, who is able to move outside of the transfer window as a free agent.
It’s noted that Sterling is eager to get his next move sorted as soon as possible with a desire to continue playing at an elite level.
Sterling spent last season on loan at Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
It has previously been claimed that Sterling’s wage demands and his preference to remain in or close to London had hampered Chelsea’s attempts to sell him, though it’s understood he is now open to leaving the capital.
Fulham and Napoli are among the clubs who were keen on signing Sterling back in the summer. The former QPR academy graduate last played competitively back at the end of May for Arsenal.
Chelsea wished Sterling well for the future in the statement confirming that he would be leaving Stamford Bridge 18 months before the end of his contract. “Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Manchester City,” they wrote.
“We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.”
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