‘Fulham are the one’ – Raheem Sterling update as Chelsea exit looms
Raheem Sterling could be forced to stay at Chelsea as fellow Premier League clubs may not be able to afford the forward – but one rival is the most likely possibility.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who has exclusively told Football Insider that wages will be the “biggest factor” in any deal.
Sterling has been frozen out at Chelsea and has not made a first team appearance for the club this season.
Fulham chased Sterling in the summer transfer window, but a deal did not materialise, whilst Newcastle and West Ham are among the clubs interested in a January move.
Newcastle ‘unlikely’ as Raheem Sterling looks for Chelsea exit
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley would back Fulham to sign Sterling if the 31-year-old reduced his wage demands.
“I think wages are likely to be the biggest factor in terms of club to club, what happens with the negotiations,” Plumley said.
“It’s going to be a club that, if it does happen, are prepared to pay a portion of the fees. I think Chelsea will want that. They won’t just let him go and pay all of his wages. They’ll want some, coming back the other way.
“We’re led to believe from what we’ve seen that the player would rather stay in London. So Newcastle looks unlikely from the player’s side of things in that regard. And then I think it’s, you know, kind of all those clubs, if it’s Palace, Fulham, West Ham, where perhaps it’s, you know, I can see I think Fulham would be the one for me.
“I think, you know, clearly, the manager wanted some new players in the past. We’ve heard them say that could be an interesting one to look at, but I’m not so sure Fulham would want to stretch to those wage demands.
“So I think it’s going to be a case of all those clubs, you know, which one potentially thinks that they can get the best out of it, at this point in time, but also is prepared to cough up the most money. And I think there’s also a scenario where none of those happen to be honest.
“You know, West Ham have spent money already. Fulham I’m not sure if they would stretch to those demands. Palace don’t get held to ransom on player wages as a rule. You know, they’re no clear-cut options at the moment.”
Sterling could face transfer blow
Leeds may also make a move for Sterling in January, amid a desire to add to their attacking options.
Daniel Farke’s side though have pulled away from the relegation zone in the past month, and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has hit form.
Leeds could instead sign Axel Disasi, a team-mate of Sterling’s at Chelsea and another player who has yet to make a first team appearance for the Blues this season.