Chelsea Reportedly Open to Raheem Sterling Departure

The winger is no longer considered a key part of the club's long-term plans.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:15pm

Chelsea have reportedly made the decision to let winger Raheem Sterling leave the club, either through a permanent transfer or a loan move. Sterling has struggled to consistently impress since joining Chelsea, prompting doubts about his role under the current management. The Chelsea hierarchy is now open to Sterling departing as they look to trim their wage bill and reshape the squad with younger, more dynamic attacking options.

Why it matters

Sterling's departure would mark a significant shift in Chelsea's attacking lineup, as the experienced winger was brought in to be a key player. This decision suggests Chelsea is prioritizing a long-term rebuild over short-term results, which could have implications for the team's performance in the coming seasons.

The details

According to reports, transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that "Sterling is expected to leave Chelsea in the next few days and is ready to make his move soon." Chelsea and Sterling's camp are in contact to find a solution before the transfer window closes on Monday, as Chelsea is prepared to let Raheem leave. The high wages and mixed form have made negotiations complicated, but Chelsea is reportedly actively exploring options behind the scenes.

  • Chelsea signed Raheem Sterling in the summer of 2022.

The players

Raheem Sterling

An English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Chelsea.

Fabrizio Romano

A renowned football transfer news expert and journalist.

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What they’re saying

“Sterling is expected to leave Chelsea in the next few days and is ready to make his move soon.”

— Fabrizio Romano, Transfer news expert

What’s next

Chelsea and Sterling's representatives are expected to continue negotiations over the next few days to find a suitable solution for the player's future before the transfer window closes.

The takeaway

This decision by Chelsea highlights the club's willingness to make tough choices in their pursuit of a long-term rebuild, even if it means parting ways with a high-profile player like Raheem Sterling. It remains to be seen where the winger will end up, but his departure could open up new opportunities for Chelsea to reshape their attacking options.