At 31, the England international has found himself on the fringes of the game, with the January transfer window presenting a crucial opportunity to revive his season.
Sterling has not featured at all this campaign and is not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans at Chelsea. In fact, he does not even have a profile page on the club’s website, and has spent much of the season training alone while also working on personal projects.
Despite his situation, Sterling is not prepared to leave Chelsea at any cost. Earning around £300,000 per week, he is determined to ensure stability for his young family, meaning any potential move must make sense both professionally and personally.
A switch to another London club has long been his preference, allowing him to avoid uprooting his family. A move abroad would only be considered if the contract on offer were long enough to justify such a significant change.
Sterling’s £50 million move to Chelsea has not gone to plan. He has 18 months left on his contract but he remains determined to prove that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.
Fulham and Palace are being informed of the conditions of any deal, as both look to acquire new wide attacking options for January.
Both clubs are more committed to finding younger players for the roles, but Sterling will hope a breakthrough comes to offer him one more chance in the English top division.
