Ostracised Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling is reportedly determined to join another Premier League club as his time at Stamford Bridge nears an end.
While the 29-year-old has not hit the same heights at Stamford Bridge as he did during his time at Manchester City, his brutal axing from the first-team squad has still caught many by surprise.
Sterling is among a host of players training away from the main group under Enzo Maresca, who did not consider the Englishman for selection in their opening Premier League loss to Manchester City last weekend.
Sterling has also been omitted from the squad for the first leg of Chelsea's Europa Conference League qualifying clash against Servette on Thursday evening, and his number seven shirt has also been taken by new signing Pedro Neto.
As such, the attacker's Stamford Bridge career appears to be dead in the water, and all parties are now working to sever Sterling from his Chelsea contract, which still has another three years left to run.
Sterling 'wants Premier League stay' ahead of Chelsea exit
Italian giants Juventus emerged as one of the early contenders to sign Sterling, and there have also been whispers of a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League for the former Liverpool talent.
However, Sky Sports News claims that Sterling is not considering moving to Italy, the Middle East or any other foreign league, as he is determined to remain in the English top flight for the time being.
Sterling and his family are reportedly settled in the UK, and the 29-year-old is also determined to force his way back into the England squad under Lee Carsley, having not played for his nation since the 2022 World Cup.
The report adds that the winger has accepted his future lies away from Chelsea, who paid £47.8m to sign him from Man City in 2022, when he became the first major signing of the Todd Boehly era.
Sterling has contributed 19 goals and 12 assists in 81 appearances for the Blues in that time, and contrary to other Chelsea players - who see their salaries cut if they fail to qualify for the Champions League - the 29-year-old's wages remain the same whether the West London club manage a top-four placement or not.
Which Premier League clubs could move for Sterling?
While Sterling will celebrate his 30th birthday in December, the winger still has a lot to offer in the Premier League and may be an intriguing option for a handful of revered clubs.
Aston Villa's name has been mooted in recent days, as Unai Emery's side have lost Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad and could arguably do with a player of Sterling's ilk before re-entering Champions League territory.
Newcastle United have managed to keep hold of Anthony Gordon thus far, but interest in the Englishman will not dwindle if he carries on performing in the same vein, and Sterling would represent a statement signing in the North East.
Gordon has been pursued heavily by Sterling's former club Liverpool, who have seen Luis Diaz's future called into question in recent weeks, but Arne Slot has affirmed that the Colombian is staying put at Anfield. As a result, a Reds return for Sterling is likely a non-starter.
The 29-year-old could be a good depth option for Arsenal, whose head coach Mikel Arteta knows him well from their time together at the Etihad, although that scenario is also unlikely due to his age. body check tags ::
