Raheem Sterling targets January transfer to end Chelsea nightmare after ruling out move abroad | OneFootball

A move to a London club did not materialise for Sterling before the summer transfer window closed

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Raheem Sterling is not open to a move to Saudi Arabia, Turkey or the United States and will remain at Chelsea with an eye to an exit in January.

Chelsea failed to arrange an exit before the deadline for Sterling, who wanted to join a London club.

Sterling, who still believes he can add to his 82 England caps, does not wish to relocate from the capital with his young family, but a move could not be sorted before the end of deadline day despite some interest from Fulham and consideration by West Ham.

While the transfer window remains open in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the US, Sterling has no interest in joining a foreign club.

He is expected to continue training with the ‘bomb squad’ of players exiled by Chelsea, including Axel Disasi and David Datro Fofana, who also failed to find avenues out of the club on deadline day.

It is highly unlikely that Sterling will be reintegrated to the first team before the winter window opens on January 1.

One possibility would be for the club to terminate his contract, but it is unclear how likely it is that Chelsea would give that serious consideration.

Sterling, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal, has scored 19 goals and registered 15 assists in 81 Chelsea appearances since joining from Manchester City in 2022.

His ex-England team-mate Ben Chilwell, also part of the ‘bomb squad’ did manage to secure a move on deadline day, joining sister club Strasbourg on a permanent deal.