After Liverpool and Man City Analysing Raheem Sterling’s Next Destination

Raheem Sterling has been put up for sale by Manchester City for a cut-price fee. The England international has one year left on his contract and is unhappy with the amount of playing time he has received. With the arrival of Haaland and Julien Alvarez, as well as the in from Foden, Grealish and Mahrez, it doesn’t look like Sterling will be a starter anytime soon.

Sterling joined City back in 2015 from Liverpool. During his spell in Manchester, he has grown into one of the best wingers in the Premier League over the past few years, scoring 131 goals in 339 appearances and winning 4 League Titles, an FA Cup and 3 League Cups.

Sterling has been there, done that. Carrying England to the Euros final, scoring important goals for City, bags of skills and end product as well. It is a testament to the levels in the Manchester City squad that a player like Raheem Sterling is struggling to get into the team.

So let’s see who’s in for him.

The Biggest Rumour: Chelsea

The Blues are currently favourites to sign Sterling. Tuchel’s men struggled in front of the goal last season. The productivity from the wings, in particular, was lacklustre. Apart from Mount, no one at the club got double figures for goals and assists; for a team challenging for major trophies, that is not good enough.

Sterling would go straight into the first team as he is head and shoulders above any of their current wide options. The assets Sterling has with his pace, dribbling prowess and natural goalscoring ability, make him an ideal transfer for the Blues as they look to reinvigorate their attack.

Sterling’s most productive season for City came in 2019-20 when he scored 31 goals across all competitions. To add to that, he’s scored 24 goals in the Champions League, level with Paul Scholes for most goals by Englishmen in the competition, with only Wayne Rooney(30) having more. With bags of experience at the highest level and such an impressive record, Chelsea would certainly look to get the best out of him as he nears his peak.

Sterling would most likely play on the left, meaning he’d link up well with Chilwell/Alonso and Mount. His experience working under Pep has made him adapt his game to playing in a possession-heavy team, which is the way Chelsea like to play.

It’s a move at the right time for both club and player, and the Blues could see him finish his career at Stamford Bridge with a flourish.

Plus, the rumoured fee is around £35m, which is significantly lower than his market value, which would be a coup for Chelsea.

Raheem Sterling, Chelsea top target as reported last Tuesday. Man City want around €55/60m – approach for €25m & add-ons turned down. 🚨🔵 #CFC

Chelsea will be back with new bid soon – as Man City are open to let him go.

Man City want €100/110m from Gabriel Jesus & Sterling. pic.twitter.com/e5Z4LzjkRj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2022

Raheem Sterling, for sure one of the names on Chelsea list with Thomas Tuchel big fan of the English winger. Chelsea have explored conditions of the deal 🔵 #CFC

No direct talks between Man City and Chelsea or bid yet. Depends on other deals like Lukaku, Ousmane and more. https://t.co/c5QmbERg9m

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 18, 2022

Wildcard option: Arsenal

Arsenal have already had a flyer of a start to the transfer window signing Brazilian youngster Marquinhos from Sao Paulo and Fabio Vieira from Porto, adding more youngsters to the Premier League’s youngest side. Sterling could be the leader the team lacks. His experience could help the likes of Saka, Martinelli and Nketiah, among others.

Arteta has already worked with him, so the adaptation period won’t be long. Arsenal play a free-flowing, attacking brand of football that Sterling is used to playing.

Sterling also grew up in London, so the possibility of going back and playing for a club in his city will be enticing apart from Chelsea’s interest. Getting a player of his quality at this price is rare, and if Arsenal are serious about making it back into the Champions League, they should snap him up as soon as possible.