Raheem Sterling ‘lined up for shock transfer to Chelsea's London rivals' in move that could revive World Cup 2026 dream
The Chelsea forward has been left out of Enzo Maresca's plans again this season and the Blues are looking to move their £325,000-a-week player on.
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According to The Telegraph, Chelsea's west London rivals Fulham will wait until later in the window to move for him.
The report states Cottagers manager Marco Silva is keen to add experience to his squad, and four-time Premier League winner Sterling, who also boasts 82 England caps, fits that bill.
30-year-old Sterling has also attracted interest elsewhere in Europe too.
Napoli - who have revived ex-Premier League players Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour's careers - want to sign Sterling on loan.
Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen are also interested.
Sterling joined Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel in 2022 for £47.5million from Manchester City and went on to make 81 appearances.
However, he has not been in Maresca's plans since the former Leicester boss's arrival last summer.
Sterling was sent on loan to Arsenal last season, making just 13 starts in all competitions during the campaign.
The former Liverpool winger still has two years left on his Chelsea contract, but the Blues are willing to accept just £20million for him.
Fulham could provide a lifeline for both Sterling's club career and his international one.
The last England appearance he made came at the 2022 World Cup in the quarter-final defeat to France.
And if he finds form at Craven Cottage, he could reignite his hopes of being picked for next summer's World Cup.
Now might be the perfect time to make a case for a call up given his former boss Tuchel is in charge of the Three Lions.
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