Raheem Sterling faces transfer blow with time running out for ex-Liverpool star

Former Liverpool star Raheem Sterling has hours left to secure a move if he wants to feature in European competition this season after leaving Chelsea as a free agent

Raheem Sterling is a free agent(Image: Getty Images)

Raheem Sterling has mere hours remaining to finalize a transfer to a new club if he has hopes of playing in European competition this season.

The 31-year-old forward parted ways with Chelsea last week by mutual consent and is now available to sign for another team as a free agent. The England international has been absent from Chelsea's squad this campaign, with his last outing for the Blues dating back to May 2024.

Last season, Sterling spent a spell on loan at Arsenal, where he made 28 appearances and played a role in the Gunners' journey to the Champions League semifinal and their runners-up spot in the Premier League.

Since Sterling is presently unattached to any club, he's eligible to join a new side on a free transfer at any time.

However, a critical deadline is rapidly approaching that the former Manchester City forward may well have in mind.

UEFA regulations allow clubs to modify their squads for the second half of the season before the knockout stages of European competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

Sterling's time at Chelsea recently came to an end(Image: Getty Images)

The cut-off point for squad modifications is midnight on Thursday. Consequently, if Sterling wishes to join a club competing in Europe this season - and participate in that tournament - he must secure a move to a new club before the day is out.

Tottenham has been recently linked with the former Chelsea player, whose last competitive outing was in May of the previous year on the final day of the Premier League season for Arsenal against Southampton.

However, recent whispers indicate that Spurs are not pursuing Sterling as a free agent, leaving the 31-year-old's soccer future hanging in the balance.

Sterling's most recent appearance in a European competition was in March of the previous year, where he played a crucial part in Arsenal's triumph over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last-16.

The 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium saw Sterling assist two goals, earning him the man of the match accolade.

Paul Merson recently urged Spurs to contemplate signing Sterling to bolster their attacking options amid their ongoing injury woes.

"They need players in. Thomas Frank and Tottenham have been unlucky with Solanke, Kulusevski and Maddison all out," Merson stated on Sky Sports News.

"I would bring Sterling in. I think it's a no-brainer on a free transfer. I really do. You don't want to start bringing every Tom, Dick and Harry in to try and stay up. They just need one or two players in and get their players fit."