It is pretty clear what Chelsea misfit Raheem Sterling wants to happen before the transfer window closes. Unfortunately for him, it appears that West Ham United have other plans.
Not that he really needed to, given that the England international has been permanently stuck in the so-called ‘bomb squad’ ever since Enzo Maresca took charge at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea boss confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Sterling will play no part against West Ham during Friday’s trip to the London Stadium.
The Club World Cup champions are desperate to move on a host of high-earners in the coming week-and-a-bit.
Former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City winger Sterling is just the tip of the iceberg. Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and co are also up for sale as the Chelsea churn continues with an unrelenting, uncaring inevitability.
Now, it is common knowledge that Raheem Sterling wants to stay in London. West Ham United, then, would be a pretty ideal solution, for the player at least.
Fortunately, for a fanbase who have watched on in horror as their beloved club throw countless millions at over-the-hill, once-great footballers, Sterling is highly unlikely to be ending the summer in a claret and blue jersey even if Ben Jacobs reveals that ‘checks’ have indeed taken place.
Ben Jacobs explains how far West Ham United have gone in Raheem Sterling discussions
The full focus right now is on bringing two new midfielders to the capital.
Preferably, a dynamic number eight a la Mateus Fernandes, Andrey Santos, Kenneth Taylor or Quinten Timber. And, in addition, a stylish, tidy number six, see Marc Casado.
In any case, a traditional wideman like Sterling does not seem to have a natural home in Graham Potter’s wing-back system.
But according to Ben Jacobs, one of this summer’s most reliable sources of transfer information, the Queens Park Rangers academy graduate could still get his wish of adding another London-based club to his collection.
“Raheem Sterling [is] set to be sold or loaned before the window shuts,” Jacobs writes on X. “Understand Sterling prefers to stay in London.”
Jacobs reports that West Ham have indeed ‘made checks’, but no offer was forthcoming. The one club currently in discussions, meanwhile, is not the Hammers but Fulham.
“Fulham one option and talks have taken place. West Ham and Crystal Palace also made checks. Chelsea still waiting on formal bids.”
Interestingly, West Ham did reportedly bid for one Chelsea player a few days ago. It was not Sterling, however, but the aforementioned Andrey Santos.
But while Maresca has taken the dramatic step of removing Sterling from his first-team training group, the straight-talking Italian insists that there is no chance of Santos being sold – even for an alleged £45 million – with the Brazilian international a crucial part of his plans.
Tony Cottee warns Chelsea off Sterling and towards midfield targets
Per The Guardian, Barcelona have also turned their noses up at an approach for 21-year-old Casado.
Southampton rejected an improved Mateus Fernandes bid worth £32 million as well this week, with reports now claiming that West Ham could turn to Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor, Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber or a couple of rising stars from across the Channel in France.
The fact that work is being done on the midfielder front will be music to the ears of one club legend. Tony Cottee feels reinforcements are a must after watching Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse chase Sunderland shadows at the Stadium of Light.
Cottee urged West Ham to steer clear of Sterling too, feeling that the younger, faster Crysencio Summerville is a better bet.
Graham Potter confirms that Summerville should return soon after eight months out with a hamstring injury.
“Is [Sterling] the man for West Ham? I don’t know. I mean, they need a striker but everyone needs a striker don’t they? And I don’t see him playing as an out-and-out number nine,” Cottee, who scored nearly 150 goals over two spells for the Londoners, told talkSPORT.
“They’ve got [Niclas] Fullkrug there. Maybe he could fit in; [Jarrod] Bowen on one side and him playing on the other side.
But they’ve got Summerville to come back. And the question is; Is he going to be better than Summerville?
“I don’t think he will be.”
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