Fulham get major boost as Chelsea make new Raheem Sterling concession
Chelsea are now willing to accept loan proposals for winger Raheem Sterling, according to reports.
The 30-year-old is completely out of favour at Stamford Bridge and spent last season on loan at Arsenal - though to little success, with just one goal and five assists to show from 28 appearances.
However, strong interest remains in the 82-time England international, who would surely still offer plenty of value to the right club.
Fulham get Raheem Sterling loan boost
Fulham are understood to be a frontrunner for Sterling, while London rivals West Ham and Crystal Palace are also interested in him.
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea would prefer a permanent exit for Sterling with just two years left on his contract.
However, they're also thought to be open to finding a loan solution if required, in order to get some of his £325,000 per week salary off the books -- making him their highest-paid player at present (Capology).
Naturally, Chelsea would have to subsidise a large part of that salary for clubs like Fulham and West Ham, while Sterling will have to take a pay cut when he leaves Stamford Bridge.
While Chelsea's star players were preparing for their opening Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace at the weekend, Sterling posted some holiday snaps to Instagram last week, showing just how detached from Enzo Maresca's core group he is.
Sterling signing would be a major relief for Marco Silva
Football Insider
Marco Silva has endured a rough summer market so far, with Fulham's only signing to this point being back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte.
Striker Rodrigo Muniz is heavily linked with an exit, which would be a huge blow to Silva, given he's already targeting a No.9.
Muniz scored a late equaliser as Fulham salvaged a point away at Brighton on the opening day, but that performance only served to underline the fact that attacking reinforcements are needed.
Given the finances involved and Chelsea still having two weeks of the window to make a decision, getting a deal done for Sterling will not be easy.
However, this is a winger with 396 games, 123 goals and 75 assists to his name in the Premier League alone.
His experience and ability to produce in the final third would be priceless to Fulham as they look to consolidate on a strong 2024/25 campaign -- not to mention serving as a major relief for Silva.