Chelsea face €35m bill as transfer talks stall

Suraj Radia

Updated: 3 Sept 2025 17:32 BST
4 min read

Chelsea have been left with a €35 million black hole on their books after failing to find a transfer for Raheem Sterling this summer, with the winger not expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the coming days.

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Sterling is the Blues’ highest earner and has struggled to generate any substantial interest after a forgettable loan spell with Arsenal last season, leaving the 30-year-old decaying in the reserves at Chelsea.

Current ETV

Raheem Sterling

F, AM (R), M (L)

Chelsea

Raheem Sterling

F, AM (R), M (L)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€10.6M - €13M

Enzo Maresca’s side had been hoping that Sterling could still secure a move to a league where the transfer window remains open, such as the MLS, Saudi Arabia or Turkey, however the former England international is believed to be against moving abroad.

Standard Sport report that Sterling will not be integrated back into Maresca’s first team despite his situation and will continue training with Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’, containing players such as Axel Disasi and David Datro Fofana.

Sterling is said to believe that he can still add to his 82 England caps and does not wish to relocate from London with his young family but a move to a local team could not be sorted before the transfer deadline despite consideration from Fulham and West Ham.

With two years remaining on his contract worth more than €300,000-per-week, Chelsea are likely to be stuck with Sterling until January, with the club unlikely to consider terminating his contract due to the significant amount it would cost.

Sterling eyeing January exit from Chelsea

Sterling joined Chelsea for €56m in 2022 but he has found himself outcasted from Maresca’s team due to his age and salary not meeting the team’s profile.

© IMAGO - Raheem Sterling failed to impress on loan at Arsenal last season.

Chelsea had hoped that his loan to Arsenal would help Sterling recapture his best form but the winger played less than 500 Premier League minutes for the Gunners and failed to score in his 17 appearances.

Sterling is now likely to accept his fate and condemnation to Chelsea’s reserves ahead of seeking an exit in January.

The Blues will be hoping to find moves for Sterling, Disasi and Fofana as soon as possible after seeing Ben Chilwell join sister club Strasbourg on deadline day.

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