Aston Villa could offer Raheem Sterling exit route amid Chelsea exile – as Unai Emery’s side target winger having missed out on Joao Felix deal
- Sterling is currently banished from first-team training under Enzo Maresca
- Chelsea are speaking with suitors and Aston Villa have emerged as an exit route
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Aston Villa could save Raheem Sterling from his Chelsea exile after declaring early interest in the England international.
Sterling is currently banished from first-team training under Enzo Maresca, the head coach having told the 29-year-old winger in a meeting last Friday that he should leave the club this summer.
Chelsea are currently speaking with several potential suitors as they plan to put proposals in front of Sterling and his representatives for them to consider, with a permanent move preferable for all parties. Villa have now emerged as a possible exit route after they missed out on signing Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.
Felix was presented at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night ahead of Chelsea’s Conference League tie with Servette, having joined on Wednesday for £44.5m. That pushed Sterling even further down the pecking order after the arrival of Pedro Neto for £54m.
Sources have not yet revealed Chelsea’s valuation for Sterling, who cost £50m when signed in 2022 and is contracted until 2027 on a deal believed to be worth around £325,000 per week. Market insiders have suggested their letting the world know that they do not want him could harm their chances of securing any substantial fee this summer.
Aston Villa have emerged as a contender to sign Raheem Sterling amid his Chelsea exile
Unai Emery’s side could move for the winger after missing out on the signing of Joao Felix
Felix was presented in front of the Chelsea fans ahead of their European match on Thursday
It was via Mail Sport that Sterling’s representatives revealed how they wanted clarity on his future, and they got their wish with it now certain that his Chelsea career is over.
Juventus have also looked at Sterling, who is not interested in relocating to Saudi Arabia as he is keen on reigniting his England career.
Chelsea and Villa have been locked in talks over several players throughout this summer. Villa signed Ian Maatsen for £35m from Chelsea, who in turn brought in Omari Kellyman for £19m. Conor Gallagher turned down a move to Villa after they had a bid accepted by Chelsea, who sold him to Atletico Madrid instead for £33m.
Villa also have a striker in Jhon Duran who previously attracted interest from Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea still in the market for a goalscorer before the summer window closes on August 30.
Chelsea have a ‘bomb squad’ training at Cobham with all of them either up for sale or available on loan, yet Sterling was not with them yesterday after being given permission to train at home temporarily. He was, however, listed as No 7 on the back of Thursday night’s match-day programme.
That number has now been given to Neto, who started against Servette. Publishing deadlines meant it was unable to be changed in time by the club.
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Napoli are scheduled to speak before the weekend to try to agree a deal for Romelu Lukaku.
