‘It’s a done deal’ – Crystal Palace agree signing, it could impact Chelsea star
Crystal Palace’s agreement with Tottenham over Brennan Johnson could make a move for Raheem Sterling a non-starter.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has also highlighted the huge wage cut Sterling would have to take to join Crystal Palace.
Chelsea want to offload Sterling, who has not featured for the Blues this season amid Enzo Maresca’s decision not to utilise the 31-year-old.
Crystal Palace could be in the race to sign Sterling, but the Eagles have agreed a £35million fee with Spurs for Johnson.
Raheem Sterling set for ‘drastic wage cut’ to agree Crystal Palace deal
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – does not think that Sterling would want to join Crystal Palace if Johnson does arrive at Selhurst Park.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes Fulham could reignite their interest in Sterling.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Look, Raheem, could he go somewhere? The noise has been that he would only stay in London, but I’m hearing that Palace have just signed Brendan Johnson today. So that deal’s done to come from Spurs.
“Would Raheem come in on the wing and work with him in some way? I don’t know if that really would be the right solution, but Palace would seem to be one of the options there. Fulham had a good look, but have said no, will they come back?
“I think those are the two London clubs with any opportunity to try and do something, but it would have to be drastic wage cuts for him. There wouldn’t be a fee, I’m sure he’d go for free. Chelsea just want to get him off the wage bill.
“It all lies in his court right now. If he’s prepared to drop from 300 grand a week down to probably 50 grand a week basic with bonuses. That’s a sort of level I think he could get some game time again. But he may just decide to sit out his contract and feel that he’s done enough in the game, which under contracts you’re allowed to do that.
“So if he really is a man possessed as we’ve been led to believe, then he should be prepared to get back in the game, and get himself back up there. But as I say, I’m taking the media reports on this one with a pinch of salt.”
Crystal Palace suffer injury blow
Crystal Palace are in the market for a new striker amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Oliver Glasner has also been handed an injury blow to Eddie Nketiah, who could miss Crystal Palace’s next eight games due to a hamstring injury.
The Eagles are currently without forward Ismaila Sarr due to the African Cup of Nations, leaving Glasner with few attacking options.