Raheem Sterling remains in the limbo of Chelsea’s bomb squad, but there is high profile interest in the winger during the January transfer window.
The 82-cap England international only turned 31 in December, but his career has been on hold after falling out of contention from the Blues first team.
Sterling had an entirely forgettable loan spell with Arsenal last season and has not played for Chelsea this campaign and is training away from the first team.
The last time he played for the Blues was May 2024, and despite something of an olive branch from new manager Liam Rosenior, his exile appears unlikely to be reversed.
The four-time Premier League winner still has a good reputation, despite his inactivity, and there is interest in him from Italy.
Sky Sports report that Napoli are considering a loan move for the forward this month, as Antonio Conte looks to keep pace in the Serie A title race.
Napoli currently sit third in the table, six points behind leaders Inter and battling to defend the title they won last year.
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Despite the interest from the Italian champions, the Sky Sports report states that Sterling would prefer to stay in London for personal reasons.
Specifically, the winger would be ‘keen on a move to Fulham’ which would be the shortest possible geographical move from Chelsea.
ESPN reported earlier in January that both Fulham and West Ham had shown interest in signing Sterling, but a sticking point is that he wants a permanent move rather than on loan.
The 31-year-old earns an enormous £325,000-a-week at Chelsea, which clearly will not be matches by any other Premier League side interested in him.
The Blues would love to get those wages off their books, with Sterling’s contract running until the end of the 2026/27 season.
On his arrival as Chelsea manager this month, Rosenior said he would talk to Sterling and fellow ‘bomb squad’ member Axel Disasi.
‘I will have conversations with them. We’re in January, as you know,’ said the Blues boss.
‘Raheem’s had an outstanding career. I’ve got huge respect for him. Axel is someone I’ve really, really liked as a player for a long time.
‘Honestly, I have to have a conversation with them. I have to have a conversation with the club. I’m being genuinely honest. I literally have got to work through a list of priorities. I will do in the next few days.’
Chelsea are in action on Wednesday night as they host Pafos in the Champions League, with Rosenior managing his fourth game in charge of the club in a fourth different competition after the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Premier League.
