Raheem Sterling transfer - 7 clubs want former Liverpool star after Chelsea exit

Raheem Sterling's contract at Chelsea was terminated by mutual consent on Wednesday, and the former Manchester City and Liverpool winger is now a free agent

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

Raheem Sterling's representatives are holding talks with seven different top-tier clubs following the termination of his Chelsea contract by mutual consent on Wednesday.

The former Manchester City star, who started his career at Liverpool, was sidelined by the Blues before his exit and spent last season on loan at Arsenal. He became Chelsea's highest-paid player on £325,000-a-week ($446K) after his £47.5 million ($65.3 million) move in 2022, but struggled to recapture the form that made him a key figure in a Manchester City side that dominated English soccer.

Despite summer speculation, a transfer away for Sterling, 31, never came to fruition. However, now that the former England winger is a free agent, he appears to have plenty of interested parties.

Sky Sports reports that the player's representatives are negotiating with seven "Champions League level" clubs keen to secure Sterling's signature, with the player able to move outside the transfer window as a free agent.

It's understood that Sterling is keen to finalize his next destination as quickly as possible, with ambitions to continue competing at the highest level.

Previous reports suggested that Sterling's salary expectations and his wish to stay in or around London had hindered Chelsea's efforts to offload him, though it's now believed he is willing to consider opportunities beyond the capital.

Sterling's most recent Premier League appearance came for Arsenal last season(Image: Getty Images)

Fulham and Napoli are among the clubs that expressed interest in signing Sterling during the summer, but neither of them is competing in the Champions League.

Napoli was knocked out of Europe's premier club competition following a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea - Sterling's former club - in midweek.

Sterling last featured competitively at the end of May for Arsenal.

In a statement confirming Sterling's departure from Stamford Bridge 18 months prior to the end of his contract, Chelsea expressed its best wishes for his future.

"Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Manchester City," the Blues wrote.

"We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career."

Sterling joined Liverpool in 2010, having arrived from QPR's academy. He broke into Liverpool's first team as a 17-year-old and went on to play 129 times for the Reds before moving to Manchester City in 2015.

Sterling was part of the Liverpool team that almost won the Premier League title in 2014, finishing second to Manchester City.