Chelsea were unable to move on Raheem Sterling before the close of the transfer window, despite actively trying to sell him all summer. According to The Athletic, the club didn’t receive a single offer for the 30-year-old winger on deadline day, a reality that won’t surprise many fans.
Sterling has been out of favour since returning from a disappointing loan at Arsenal, where he scored just once in 28 appearances last season. Back at Cobham, he’s now part of the so-called “bomb squad,” players training away from the first-team group as they await solutions to their futures.
The England international was made available for around £20 million, and Chelsea hoped to offload him permanently. While Premier League clubs were linked, along with interest from Besiktas and Bayer Leverkusen, nothing formal arrived by the deadline.
Sterling’s decline continues as London preference narrows options
Signed for £50 million from Manchester City in 2022, Sterling’s Chelsea career has never hit top gear. After slipping out of Enzo Maresca’s plans early in pre-season, it became clear he was surplus to requirements.
While interest existed throughout the window, Sterling’s reported preference to remain in London limited his options. And with no bids coming in, not even late, Chelsea were left with a high-earner they clearly don’t want in the squad.
Overseas windows offer slim hope but Sterling unmoved
Transfer windows remain open in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but it’s understood Sterling has no interest in moving to either league. That narrows Chelsea’s chances of resolving his situation before January and leaves the winger facing months without competitive football.
At 30, his options are shrinking and so too is the time he has to reset a once-explosive career. Unless a surprise offer emerges in the coming weeks, Sterling is likely to remain on the sidelines at Cobham for the foreseeable future.
Disasi also stays as Chelsea struggle to trim squad
Sterling wasn’t the only player Chelsea failed to shift. Axel Disasi also remains at the club despite interest from English sides and Saudi outfit Neom SC. The French defender reportedly rejected late approaches and, like Sterling, risks being frozen out until January.
With squad space tight and minutes limited, Chelsea now face the challenge of managing multiple out-of-favour players. For Sterling in particular, the lack of movement highlights just how far his stock has fallen and how tricky it could be to find a way back.
