Raheem Sterling has rejected the chance to sign for West Ham, with the Chelsea outcast pushing to join a different Premier League club.
Chelsea have long been trying to offload the England international who has been exiled from the first-team and banished to the ‘bomb-squad’ by Enzo Maresca since 2024.
Following a disastrous loan spell at Arsenal, there was interest last summer from Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, but Sterling was reluctant to leave London where his family are settled.
The sudden departure of Maresca on New Year’s Day is not expected to change the forward’s status at Stamford Bridge and he remains very much up for sale in the January transfer window.
Leeds United have been linked but Sterling’s preference has always been to remain in the capital, so a move to West Ham would have suited all parties.
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Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate for more firepower as he looks to avoid relegation and, according to The Times, made a loan offer for Sterling who has scored 123 Premier League goals for Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.
However, the 31-year-old has swiftly turned down the Irons. It is reported that he does not wish to go out on loan again and will only consider a permanent transfer.
This further limits Sterling’s options, with Fulham and Crystal Palace the only London clubs to have held an interest in the player.
Palace can be ruled out as they are completing a club-record £35million transfer for Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson, but Fulham may provide the escape route.
It is said that Sterling is hopeful that the Cottagers will make a move for him this month but it is unclear whether they feel the same way.
West Ham could actually help him get his move to Craven Cottage as they are in talks to sign Fulham’s Adama Traore. If he leaves, Marco Silva will definitely want to sign a new winger.
Fulham drew 1-1 with Palace on New Year’s Day and host Liverpool and Chelsea in their next two Premier League matches.
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