West Ham and Crystal Palace could offer transfer lifeline to 123-goal Premier League bagsman
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The Hammers and the Eagles had been linked with the player earlier this summer and the latest developments at Stamford Bridge add weight to rumours of a summer exit.
West Ham and Crystal Palace could look to reignite transfer interest in Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling after Enzo Maresca made the bombshell decision to exclude the player from his matchday squad to take on Manchester City at the weekend.
The Blues lost 2-0 to the Champions at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but headlines before and after the match centred on Sterling's exclusion. Even before a ball had been kicked, that decision had triggered a pointed response from the 29-year-old's representatives.
In a statement issued to the Daily Mail, the player's team said “Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years…he is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC…given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.
“As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the Club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation."
It appears that the former Liverpool and Manchester City man has been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, which could kickstart a transfer race to secure his signature. Sterling has an impressive 123 top flight goals to his name and has won the division four times, making him a coup for any Premier League rival.
HITC reports that both West Ham and Crystal Palace had 'shown some interest' in Sterling earlier this summer. The player wanting away from Chelsea could help make any such move a reality.
The report also claims that clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also looking at a deal to bring Sterling away from West London. However, the winger himself has shown 'little desire' in making the move to the Middle East at this point in his career.
HITC adds that Chelsea are proactively working to sell the forward, who has another three years on his contract, even covering some of his wages to lighten the loan on their salary book. Bayern Munich and Juventus are two clubs who have been 'spoken to' regarding a transfer.