Fulham consider surprise Sterling signing

Fulham are mulling whether to make a surprise move for out-of-favour Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, according to Si Phillips.

A significant number of Stamford Bridge squad players are set to be moved on this summer and England international Sterling, whose loan spell at Arsenal last season did not go well, is not in Enzo Maresca’s future plans.

The 30 year-old’s wage demands – he currently earns around £325,000-a-week – and his desire to remain in London have been stumbling blocks to securing an early exit this summer.

Phillips, the co-founder of Chelsea News, suggests on his Substack that Sterling’s intransigence is infuriating the Blues:“SPTC sources are still hearing that he ideally does not want to move away from his family in London and wants to stay there, vastly reducing his options and making it frustrating for all involved. If Sterling truly does only want to stay in London, then he is going to need to lower his wage demands, which he may well do.After having spent last season on loan with Arsenal, Sterling is once again looking for a new club to join. We understand that Fulham have been alerted by his availability this summer and are weighing up whether they can make a move. However, his wages put them off at the moment and will need to go down if they are to land him. But they like the player and there is interest from them this summer.”

Fulham are looking to add a winger to Marco Silva’s squad this summer and admire the former Liverpool and Manchester City man, but the terms of the deal would have to be right to make this move happen. The Whites would be open to a loan, but only if their near neighbours paid the majority of Sterling’s wages.